TUSCUMBIA — If you want to cast an absentee ballot in the upcoming Colbert County school tax referendum on a Wednesday, don’t be alarmed if the doors of the circuit clerks’ office are closed.

Circuit Clerk Nancy Hearn has worked out a simple way to serve voters while still following a mandate from Chief Justice Roy Moore.

Moore has ordered all circuit clerks’ offices to close to the public on Wednesdays beginning March 20 to give employees a day to catch up on paperwork related to their ever-increasing caseloads.

While circuit clerks in the Shoals welcomed the opportunity, Hearn knew the upcoming referendum would present a challenge for her office.

Hearn said absentee voters should just ask one of the deputy sheriffs stationed outside the office to knock on the door and inform employees they have a voter outside.

“The deputies are right there,” Hearn said. “They usually ask people what are you’re here for, anyway.”

Two or three deputies involved in courthouse security are stationed near the door to the clerk’s office.

On April 9, Colbert County voters will decide existing property taxes as well as an additional 3-mill tax.

Absentee ballots may be cast from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through April 4, Hearn said.

Hearn said there will be signs telling voters where to go to cast an absentee ballot.

Franklin County Circuit Clerk Anita Scott faces a similar situation because traffic court is held Wednesdays.

Lauderdale Circuit Clerk Missy Hibbett said she also is working out issues so she can abide by the mandate and still provide necessary services.

“We’re going to make this work,” Hibbett said. “We don’t want to cripple the judicial process in Lauderdale County at all, but at the same time, I have to follow the mandate.”

Russ Corey can be reached at 256-740-5738 or russ.corey@TimesDaily.com.