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Absentee Voting Begins For Kentucky’s Nov. 6 General Election

Posted at 2:15 PM, Sep 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-26 14:15:25-04

FRANKFORT, Ky.  (LEX 18) – Absentee voting is now underway for Kentucky’s Nov. 6 General Election.

“Kentuckians who cannot get to the polls on Election Day have the option of voting absentee before the election,” said Secretary of State Alison L. Grimes, Kentucky’s chief election official. “I am thankful for our county clerks who facilitate absentee voting for voters through the mail and in their offices. I will continue to petition our legislators in the 2019 General Assembly to remove the requirement to provide an excuse to vote early in-person, and I hope all Kentuckians will join me in this effort. As low turnout persists, we should be doing everything we can to make it easier for voters to make their voices heard.”

Currently, individuals who may be eligible to vote by mail-in absentee ballot include:

  • Military personnel, their dependents, and overseas citizens
  • Students who temporarily reside outside the county
  • Voters who temporarily reside outside Kentucky (e.g., vacationers)
  • Voters who are incarcerated but have not yet been convicted
  • Voters whose employment takes them outside the county for all days and hours the polling place is open
  • Voters of advanced age or who suffer from disability or illness
  • Voters who are participants in the Secretary of State’s Address Confidentiality Program

Voters may request an absentee ballot application from their county clerk in person or via telephone, fax, or email. Qualified military and overseas voters may also use the Commonwealth’s online portal at GoVoteKY.com to request and receive their blank absentee ballots.

Applications for mail-in absentee ballots must be received by the clerk’s office no later than Oct. 30. The completed absentee ballot must be returned by mail and received by the county clerk by 6 p.m. local time on Election Day.

Individuals who do not qualify to vote by mail-in absentee ballot may still be eligible to vote early in person prior to Nov. 6, Election Day. In-person absentee voting will begin in all counties no later than 12 working days prior to Nov. 6. Some counties, including Jefferson County, have already opened in-person absentee voting, which is conducted during the county clerk’s regular business hours.

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, elect.ky.gov.