MOUNT VERNON — Today marks the first day absentee ballots are available for the May 4 primary election, according to the Knox County Board of Elections. For those waiting to vote later, the voter registration deadline is April 5.

For those looking ahead or voting early by absentee ballot, the race for this fall’s county commissioner election is uncontested on the Democratic side, with only Mount Vernon City Council member Rebecca Jordan running for the position. The Republican side is a three-way race between Fredericktown mayor Roger Reed, area Realtor Tim Smith and incumbent commissioner Robert Wise.

Wise said he believes Knox County’s biggest challenges in coming years are the county budget and the local economy.