With the election fast approaching, many voters in Eau Claire are wondering where and how to vote and how to avoid long lines at the polls. They’re discovering many options for absentee voting.

There's the traditional mail-in absentee ballots. There's also in-person absentee voting, which people often forget about.

Either way, the clerk's office expects high voter turnout in general, for what many say is a very crucial election year. With the economy in turmoil and the war in Iraq still going on, voters everywhere face what political expert John Frank calls a double whammy.

"It's a situation we haven't really seen since 1980, and as a result I think there are more people who are concerned,” says Frank. “They don't like the direction the country is going in and as a result they're going to turn out and vote."

And the voters are turning out already, to do in-person absentee voting at Eau Claire City Hall.

"I think with the publicity we're a little bit ahead of normal," says Elections Clerk Cheryl Brunner.

30 people voted at city hall on Friday, and a dozen by 11 on Monday morning.

"People are expecting a large turnout and they don't want to stand in line for an hour-and-a-half on the morning of Tuesday, November 4th," says Frank.

Steve Rust is one of many voters who won't be waiting, because he cast his ballot on Monday. He’ll be out of town for election day, and didn’t realize he could vote in-person.

"I was going to get a ballot and mail it in but I'm happy to see I could vote,” says Rust.

Rust hopes his wife will get out early to avoid the rush too, but overall, he just hopes everyone who can vote, will vote this year.

"I think it's important for people to voice their opinion,” says Rust, “It's the only way we can do it. If you don't vote, you don't have a right to complain."

In-person absentee voting is available in all cities and towns in Wisconsin until the day before the election. Check with your town for hours and availability.

Elections clerks recommend registering to vote before election day: It'll save you from standing in another long line.

You can also contact your city or town clerk if you’re interested in working at the polls on election day. The positions pay $8 an hour, and are broken up into half-day shifts. However, the deadline to register as a worker in Eau Claire is this Wednesday, October 8, 2008.