Carbon County election officials are reminding residents of important deadlines to be able to participate in the upcoming election on Nov. 5.

On Thursday, Commissioner William O’Gurek, who also sits on the county election board, urged residents to get their registrations and absentee ballot applications in as soon as possible.

The deadline to register for the upcoming election is 4:30 p.m. Oct. 7, while the last day to apply for an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Oct. 29.

The deadline to then return absentee ballots is 5 p.m. Nov. 1.

O’Gurek said to allow plenty of time if using the mail, because sometimes it takes days for the mail to get to Jim Thorpe, and if it is received after any of those deadlines, applications or the absentee ballots will not be accepted, even if it was mailed before the deadline.

“Don’t wait until it gets too late to get it to the election bureau,” he said.

On Oct. 29 and Nov. 1, the election bureau at 76 Susquehanna St., Jim Thorpe will remain open until 5 p.m.

In other election matters, an ad that ran in Thursday’s Times News announces that East Side Borough’s district 10 polling place, the borough building, is inaccessible for the elderly and handicapped voters.

According to the ad, “Voters who reside in this district who are elderly and/or handicapped are entitled to an alternative absentee ballot.”

Telecommunications devices for those who are deaf are also available by calling 570-732-0084.

For questions on any of the deadlines, or the alternative ballot process in East Side Borough should call the elections bureau at 570-325-4801.