NOBLESVILLE — The Hamilton County Elections Office will have special hours Saturday for voters wishing to cast their ballots early in the $55 million referendum of Hamilton Southeastern Schools.

Votes can be cast from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the office in the Government and Judicial Center in downtown Noblesville.

* Also from FishersStar.com: Wording of Hamilton Southeastern Schools referendum draws questions *

The district will ask voters going to the polls Tuesday to approve a $5.5 million general operating referendum to avoid cuts in school funds and to help stem a $5.2 million deficit over the next two years.

As of this afternoon, 339 absentee voters had cast ballots, said Elections Administrator Kathy Richardson. Based on that number, Richardson said, the election may not draw many voters to the polls and the fate of HSE could rest in the decision of a few thousand residents.

In the three townships — Delaware, Fall Creek and Wayne — where residents can vote, the county has registered 54,294 voters.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Usual election day rules will apply, including the suspension of alcohol sales in Fall Creek, Delaware and Wayne townships while polls are open.