MONROE — Early voting begins Thursday for Union County residents outside Monroe. Three towns will also have liquor-by-the-drink referendums at the same time.

Monroe’s elections were Oct. 6.

Union County Board of Elections director John Whitley said early voting is “a convenience to the voter,” meaning there are “no excuses” not to vote. It can eliminate long lines at the polls on Election Day, too, he said.

Combined, there are more than 75 candidates running for mayor or town councils or boards. Stallings has the most candidates up for election with four running for mayor and nine, including one write-in competitor, running for Town Council. Wingate has the fewest with only two candidates, both incumbents, for its Board of Commissioners.

Indian Trail, Waxhaw and Wingate will also have mixed beverage referendums.

Residents in these towns will decide whether to allow the sale of liquor in restaurants, hotels, private clubs, community theaters and convention centers.

Absentee ballots will also be considered in early voting. Residents might choose to use an absentee ballot, Whitley said, if serving in the military overseas, dealing with a medical problem or planning to be out of town during elections.

Residents must request absentee ballots by Oct. 27 and have them back to the Board of Elections by Nov. 2.

With the Board of Election’s one-stop voting, those who have not yet registered to vote can register and vote the same day during early voting.

Election Day is Nov. 3.

Early voting ends Oct. 31. Residents can vote between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday or Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Early voting for all towns will take place in the Union County Public Library’s Griffin Room at 316 E. Windsor St. in Monroe.

For more information, call the Board of Elections at 704-283-3809.