Absentee ballots for the Nov. 7 general consolidated election will be available beginning Tuesday, a spokesman for the Riverside County registrar of voters office said.

To receive an absentee ballot, voters should fill out the request form on the back of the sample ballot they receive in the mail and return it to the Registrar of Voters Office, 2724 Gateway Drive, Riverside, CA 92507

The registrar's office started mailing those sample ballots to voters Friday, said Robert Davis of the registrar's office.

Absentee ballot request forms are also available at the registrar's office or can be downloaded from the registrar's Web site -- www.election.co.riverside.ca.us. Once completed, the request forms can be mailed or faxed to the registrar's office. The fax number is (951) 486-7272.

The last day to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 31, and they must be returned to the registrar's office by 8 p.m. Election Day.

The deadline is Oct. 23 to register to vote in the Nov. 7 contest. Voter registration forms are available at the registrar's office and at most post offices, libraries, city and county offices.

Residents who have moved, changed their name or desire to change their political party affiliation must re-register.

For information, call the registrar at (951) 486-7200.