AUBURN – Absentee ballots to elect a replacement for Ward 4’s vacant City Council seat are available in the City Clerk’s office.

Voters will go to the polls Jan. 13 to pick a successor to former Councilor Bruce Bickford. Bickford gave up his council seat when he won election to the state House of Representatives.

The winner will finish Bickford’s two-year term and be up for election again in November 2009, along with the rest of the Auburn City Council and Mayor John Jenkins.

Three candidates want the seat: Kenneth Bellefleur of 100 Royal River Road; David C. Young of 1167 Old Danville Road; and John E. Morin of 60 Danbury Drive.

Absentee ballots may be picked up at the City Clerk’s office in Auburn Hall, 60 Court St. Voters may also call 333-6600 to request a ballot be mailed to them. They cannot request a ballot for another voter.

Residents of Auburn may register to vote at any time in the City Clerk’s office or by obtaining a voter registration card from any Department of Motor Vehicle Office in Maine. They must be 18 years old to and show proof of Auburn residency.