By Press Times Staff

HOWARD – Because of concern about the COVID-19 pandemic, voters in the village are being urged to cast an absentee ballot for the April 7 spring general election and presidential preference primary.

Chris Haltom, director of administrative services, said the polls will be open in Howard on Election Day, but he recommends most village voters to vote absentee beforehand to lower the number of people having physical contact at the polling places.

Haltom said voters should request an absentee ballot as soon as possible.

To cast an absentee ballot, he said voters must first be registered.

The deadline for registered voters to request an absentee ballot mailed to them is April 2.

Because the deadline to register online or by mail has passed for the April 7 election, Haltom said voters must now register in person at the village hall or at the polls on Election Day.

Though village hall and public works department offices are now closed to the public because of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said the back entrance of village hall into the community center will be open for election-related business from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 7:30 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. Friday.

Haltom said absentee ballots must be received in his office or at the polls by 8 p.m. April 7.

Village operations

Because of the closure of village offices, Howard residents are encouraged to use online services and the outside drop box as much as possible.

Water bills may be paid online, by mail or in the outdoor drop box.

Dog license applications, copies of rabies paperwork and payments should be mailed or placed in the outdoor drop box.

Howard Municipal Court has suspended all proceedings, including traffic, ordinance and juvenile, through April 28, though those previously issued citations with appearance dates of March 31 or April 28 may submit a plea in writing with instructions to do so being mailed to them.

All recreation classes have been canceled, all senior programs have been suspended until further notice and all facility rentals for events with more than 10 participants are being encouraged to cancel with refunds being issued.

The prescription drug collection service has been postponed with the village not accepting any medications until further notice and informing people not to leave prescription medications in the outdoor drop box.

Those with timely or urgent business matters should call the village hall at 920-434-4640 or public works at 920-434-4060, because staff will still be working, answering phones and processing payments. Appointments may be scheduled if necessary.