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Even with all the information e-mailed, posted online and printed (some still like their news the old-school way), questions linger about how to vote and the election.

What identification do you need if you vote early? How does straight-ticket voting work? What other misconceptions are out there? We asked and gathered some answers on the fall election.

Early voting

For many, an early voting location is not the usual precinct polling place, which is Grace Holyfield's issue.

"I need to know what kind of identification I need to take with me," she said. "I've always voted in my district."

That's OK. In fact, you can vote at any early voting location. If you live in Pleasant Garden, election officials will still give you a ballot in Oak Ridge.

Identification isn't necessary for early voters who are already registered. For those doing same-day registration, a utility bill, state-issued ID or other official document with name and current address will get you signed up. The county can also update addresses on the spot.

Straight-ticket and nonpartisan voting

Plan to vote straight ticket? Make sure that ballot is complete. President and nonpartisan offices must be voted on separately. Voters can also go straight ticket for one party, and then cast their vote for president from a different party, if they wish. And Greensboro residents also must decide on several bond referenda.

If a voter wants to go with a straight-party vote overall, but wants to vote the other way in selected races, they can choose to change those votes when they review the ballot.

Misconceptions

George Gilbert, the county elections director, lists a few misconceptions he has seen in this year's election.

The top falsehoods:

• You cannot wear apparel that supports a candidate while voting.

Gilbert said this is untrue. While the state prohibits electioneering within 50 feet of a polling place, it allows voters to wear a shirt or other clothing supporting a candidate.

"The Board of Elections does not make people undress to vote," he said, but voters should respect each other.

• You must vote for the same person or party that you voted for in the May primary.

Nope. Voters can vote for anyone in the fall election or even cast a straight-ticket ballot, regardless of previous or current party registration, or a previous vote cast in the primary election.

"The Board of Elections does not know who you voted for in the primary, nor who you vote for in November," Gilbert said.

• Elections are manipulated by the party in power.

That's false for several reasons, Gilbert said.

While conducting an election, the elections staff doesn't care who wins, he said, they just don't want a close election. A close election raises the possibility of recounts and other complications.

Lines

Lines for early voting have been long, with waits of more than two hours in places. Some may wish to bring a snack and water for the wait. Traffic at polling places is expected to be lighter this week and increase toward Election Day, according to the elections office.

Some campaign offices are also tracking wait times at polling places. And it may be worthwhile to vote at a polling place that's farther away to avoid long lines.

"In 2004, I drove from the Greensboro office to the High Point office," said Gilbert, who works in the same building as an early voting site in the Old Guilford County Courthouse. "I voted in High Point and got back quicker than I could have at the Greensboro office."

Questions?

The elections board clears up many of the questions on its Web site, www.guilfordelections.org. Or call 641-3836.