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Visit www.steamboatpilot.com/election2009 for complete coverage of this year's races and issues.

Steamboat Springs — Nov. 3 is Election Day. But this will be no ordinary Election Day.

In case you haven't heard, this year's election is being conducted exclusively with mail-in ballots. That means no Election Day polling centers, voting machines and "I voted" stickers. Our concern is that it also could mean confusion.

So we'll say it again: This year's election is being conducted exclusively with mail-in ballots.

We hope a new voting format and the absence of national and state races doesn't affect voter turnout. They certainly shouldn't. With three contested Steamboat Springs City Council races, one contested Steamboat Springs School Board race, two contested Hayden School Board races, two town of Hayden tax questions and one city of Steamboat Springs referendum issue, there are plenty of reasons for voters to cast their ballots.

And voting has never been easier. Voters can fill out their ballots at the comfort of their kitchen table. Affix a stamp to the completed ballot and drop it in the mailbox. Or stop at any of the five drop-off locations by Election Day and save the postage.

Here are some important points to consider as we head toward October, courtesy of Routt County Clerk and Recorder Kay Weinland:

- Oct. 5 is the deadline to register to vote. Log on to www.steamboatpilot.com/election2009 to download registration forms and to verify your voter status. Voters also can stop by the Clerk and Recorder's Office in the historic Routt County Courthouse.

- Ballots will be mailed between Oct. 13 and Oct. 16 to all active Routt County registered voters. If you're an active voter and your voter registration information is current, you don't need to request a ballot. The U.S. Postal Service will not forward ballots; check to make sure your registered address is current. If you haven't received your ballot by Oct. 19, call the Clerk and Recorder's Office at 970-870-5556.

- Oct. 27 is the last day to request a ballot be mailed to you.

- Oct. 30 is the last day to request a "carried" mail ballot. These requests must be made in person at the Clerk and Recorder's Office in Steamboat Springs.

- If returning your ballot via mail, normal postage is required.

- There are five drop-off locations in Routt County for voters to submit their completed ballots: Routt County Clerk and Recorder's Office, Yampa Town Hall, Oak Creek Town Hall, Hayden Town Hall and the Clark Store.

- All ballots must be received by 7 p.m. Nov. 3. Voters should not mail their ballots after Oct. 29.

- Voters will receive ballots specific to where they live. For example, South Routt residents won't receive ballots next month because there are no contested school board races or city elections there.

- Voters who have any questions about the mail-in ballot process should call the Clerk and Recorder's Office.

Finally, we urge all voters to inform themselves on the candidates and issues. The Steamboat Pilot & Today, Steamboat Springs Board of Realtors, Routt County Democratic Party and Routt County Republican Party are co-sponsoring a candidates forum from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, at the Steamboat Springs Community Center. Steamboat Springs City Council and School Board candidates will attend. The forum will be rebroadcast on Steamboat TV18 throughout the election cycle.

Voters also can log onto www.steamboatpilot.com/election2009 for additional voter information, election stories and coverage, and detailed video interviews with each Steamboat Springs City Council candidate.