Noblesville — The Hamilton County Elections Office will have special hours today for voters wishing to cast early ballots in the referendum for Fishers-based Hamilton Southeastern Schools.

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

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 Friday afternoon, 339 absentee ballots had been cast, said Elections Administrator Kathy Richardson. Based on that number, Richardson said, the election may not draw many voters, and a few thousand residents could decide HSE’s fate.

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. Tuesday. Usual election day rules will apply, including suspension of alcohol sales in Fall Creek, Delaware and Wayne townships while polls are open.