Voting early is more popular than ever. The Marion County Auditor’s Office says that more than 7900 absentee ballots have been requested already, well ahead of the record pace in 2008. That year, around 7300 people voted absentee. There are about 24,000 total registered voters in Marion County, and approximately 17,000 of them voted in 2008. The last day absentee ballots can be requested is Friday, and they can be turned in until next Monday. The Marion County Auditor’s Office will be open from 8am-4pm Saturday to take absentee ballots.