Joanne Williams has been appointed deputy director of the Baltimore County Department of Aging.

As deputy director, Williams is responsible for the department's transportation, senior employment and computer operations programs.

She also will serve as security coordinator for the department, work with the Commission on Aging and Senior Citizens Inc., and serve on interagency committees.

Williams had been with the agency since 1983, most recently as chief of the Senior Centers and Community Services Division.

She is a graduate of Loyola College and president of the St. James A.U.M.P. Church Board.

Feb. 5 deadline to apply for an absentee ballot

Registered voters in Maryland who want to request an absentee ballot for the 2008 presidential primary by mail or fax must have their request in by Tuesday, Feb. 5, a week before the election.

Any registered voter in Maryland may request an absentee ballot but must affirm, under penalty of perjury, that he or she will be absent or unable to vote in person election day.

A voter who wishes to vote absentee must request a ballot in writing.

The application may be printed from the state's Web site at www.elections.state.md.us.

To request an application by telephone, call 410-887-5700.

Requests should be sent to the Baltimore County Board of Elections, 106 Bloomsbury Ave., Catonsville MD 21228.

The mailed application must be received by 4:30 p.m. Feb. 5 and faxed applications by 11:59 p.m. that day. The fax number is 410-887-0894.

After, Feb. 5, requests for an absentee ballot must be made in person at the Bloomsbury Avenue office from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The late application for an absentee ballot will be posted at www.elections.state.md.us.