As of Friday afternoon, 1,032 absentee ballots had already been filled out, said the Warren County clerk's office. The unprecedented number has kept County Clerk Barb Daly and her office busy while making final preparations for the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 4. "We've had a lot of interest," Daly said. "We knew it (absentee ballots) was going to be a high number, but this is the most we've ever had." Thanks to the high interest in this year's presidential campaign between the Obama-Biden and McCain-Palin tickets, the Missouri Secretary of State's office recently informed Daly to be prepared for a near 80-percent turnout. Polling places will be open at 6 a.m. and will close at 7 p.m. on Nov. 4. This year's turnout could be one of the highest ever in the county. Missouri Secretary of State Robin Carnahan announced Monday that 76 percent of the state's registered voters are predicted to vote Nov. 4. To reach the 76 percent plateau in Warren County, 16,250 of the approximately 21,500 registered voters in the county would have to head to the polls. "It's a good thing to see people exercising their right to vote," Daly said. In the last presidential election held in 2004, 69 percent of the county's registered voters (13,678 of 19,832) visited the polls. The number dropped to 59.75 percent in 2006, which also saw 531 cast absentee ballots. In this year's general election, both county commissioner seats are up for grabs. Republican Dan Hampson and Democrat Rich Helton are squaring off for Northern District commissioner. The Southern District commissioner race pits Republican Hubert Kluesner against Democrat Floyd Vincent. In the 99th District state representative race, Republican Mike Sutherland, who is seeking his fourth term in the House, is pitted against Democrat Patrick Lewis, a political newcomer. Warren County residents will also be deciding between Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer and Democrat Judy Baker for the 9th District U.S. representative seat. The 9th District covers portions of central and northeast Missouri, including all of Warren County. City Tax Issue Also on this year's ballot, city of Warrenton residents will be deciding whether to approve a one-half cent sales tax increase for the construction of an indoor athletic facility which would include a gymnasium, fitness area and aquatic center. If approved, the city's sales tax will increase to 8.45 cents from 7.975 cents. Warren County voters living in the city limits of Foristell will help elect a state reprentative for the 13th District between Republican Chuck Gatschenberger and Democrat David E. Hurst. Warren County also features uncontested races for sheriff, assessor, public administrator, coroner and surveyor. The county clerk's office previously announced a change in polling places for Warrenton Ward 1. Voters in that precinct will now cast ballots at Warrenton Baptist Church, located at the intersection of Highway 47 and Walton Street, rather than the Missouri Extension office. To cast an absentee ballot, Daly said a registered voter must meet one of several specifications on why they can't vote on Election Day, such as being out of the area, confinement due to illness or physical disability, religious belief or incarceration. The clerk's office will accept absentee ballots by mail or they can be dropped off by a second-degree relative through Nov. 3.