Election day may be a month away, but plenty of voters are already picking the next president.

Voting is an American right, but there are a number of reasons some people can't make it to the polls on election day.

"Maybe even that day you are scheduled for surgery, and you will not be able to go to the polls physically, you are a student and you are out of town at college, you have a working shift that co-insides with the polling hours," says Carla Woodall, The Houston County Circuit Clerk

To get an absentee ballot, you have to get an application for your ballot from the county circuit clerk or go your county's website to download one.

Once the application is processed, the circuit clerk will mail you the ballot.

From there, all the instructions on the ballot must be followed, including a copy of proper identification.

"it can be anything from your drivers license to a copy of your voter's registration, to a copy of your utility bill, anything that has your name, and your address," says Woodall

And as the number of absentee ballots keeps growing, there are only some predictions on why the year 2008.

"It's a historical election. There will be a first no matter which way it goes. People are more interested in our country and what happens in our country so they are wanting their vote to count and they want to express their voice," says Woodall

And another important thing to remember when turning in your absentee ballot- it has to mailed via U.S. mail or delivered by the person who is voting on that ballot.

There cannot be a third party delivery, which means no one can drop it off for you- not even a spouse or a parent.

And just a reminder- the deadline to register to vote is also fast approaching.

The last day to register in Alabama is Friday October 24th.
Florida and Georgia’s last day to register is Monday, October 6th.