Kleberg County registered voters age 65 years and older are eligible to vote early by mail and can officially start requesting for an application for the March 2, 2010 primary elections now, according to County Clerk Leo Alarcon.

Alarcon said to receive an application for a ballot by mail call the County Clerk’s office at (361) 595-8548 or send an email to lalarcon@klebergco.com for the request.

“Ballots are not available at this point, however the Texas Secretary of State’s office is allowing us to proceed with the requests to prepare the envelopes for the ballots that are expected to be mailed out,” Alarcon said.

“Historically, our office anticipates a much larger volume of ballots by mail during the primary elections.”

Others eligible to receive a ballot by mail are persons with disabilities and those who will be away from Kleberg County during early voting, which is set for Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2009 through Friday, Feb. 23, 2009 or on Election Day, which will be on Tuesday, March 2, 2010.

A person confined in jail but otherwise eligible can also request a ballot.

Alarcon is asking voters to read the directions carefully when filling out the application, include a telephone number, and indicate whether they are voting Democrat or Republican, because his office his handling both elections.