By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
While many county clerks have already begun allowing in-person absentee balloting for the Nov. 6 General Election, Monday marked the first day such voting is available statewide.
Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes said voters must have a valid reason to vote absentee in Kentucky.
Valid reasons include those who are:
– Out of the county on Election Day.
– Advanced in age, disabled, or ill.
– Military, their dependents, or an overseas citizen.
– Military personnel confined to base and learn of your confinement within seven days or less of an election.
– A student or resident who temporarily resides outside of the county.
– A voter or the spouse of a voter who has surgery scheduled that will require hospitalization on Election Day.
— Pregnant woman in their third trimester.
– An election official.
Voters may apply for an absentee ballot in-person at their county clerk’s office. Check with the county clerk regarding hours of operation, as some county clerk offices which normally only operate Monday through Friday, are open on Saturdays leading up to Election Day.
Those who do not qualify to vote absentee in-person may be eligible to vote absentee by mail.
Applications for mail-in ballots must be received by the clerk’s office no later than Oct. 30. The completed ballot must be returned by mail and received by the county clerk by 6 p.m. local time on Election Day.
“I encourage all Kentucky voters who cannot make it to the polls on Election Day to utilize our absentee process, if you are eligible, and make your voice heard,” Grimes said.
Persons with questions about absentee voting should contact their county clerk or call the State Board of Elections at (502) 573-7100.
Additional information about absentee voting is also available on the State Board’s website at www.elect.ky.gov
