Though voting for the general primary won't take place for another couple of weeks, absentee voting is well underway with a number of ballots already mailed.

According to Angela Mantle, assistant director of the Newton County Board of Elections, as of Thursday 120 ballots had been issued by mail and 28 residents have voted in person at the board of elections office for the Democratic primary. In the Republican primary, 143 ballots were sent by mail and 53 people have voted in person.

Voters can still request an absentee ballot by mail. Absentee ballots must be received by the board of election by 7 p.m. on day of the election, July 15, according to the secretary of state's Web site.

No absentee ballots will be issued on the day before or the day of an election. Applications for an official absentee/advance ballot can be downloaded from www.sos.georgia.gov/elections.

Applications can be mailed, faxed or delivered in person to the county board of elections office, located at the corner of Pace Street and Usher Street in downtown Covington.

No reason is required when requesting an absentee ballot by mail Mantle said. Absentee voting ends July 11. Advanced voting at the board of elections will take place from July 7 - 11. During advanced voting, any registered voter can come in and vote without giving a reason.