Absentee Voting for November 3 Election Opens

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FRANKFORT, KY – Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes announced today that in-person absentee voting for the Nov. 3 General Election is already open in many counties across the Commonwealth. All counties must allow in-person absentee voting at least 12 working days before the election.

“Every election matters, and every vote counts,” said Grimes, Kentucky’s chief election official. “I hope any qualified voters who are not able to go to the polls on November 3rd will still make their voices heard by participating in the absentee process.”

Individuals who may be eligible to vote by in-person absentee ballot include:

· Military personnel, their dependents, and overseas citizens who are absent from the county on Election Day
· Military personnel confined to a base who learn of the confinement within seven days or less of the election
· Students and residents who temporarily reside outside the county
· Voters who temporarily reside outside Kentucky (e.g., vacationers)
· Voters (and their spouses) who have surgery scheduled that will require hospitalization on Election Day
· Women in their third trimester of pregnancy
· Election officials (precinct election officers appointed to serve in precincts other than their own, alternate precinct election officers, and board of election members and staff)
· Other voters who are absent from the county on Election Day

In-person absentee voting is conducted during the county clerk’s regular business hours on voting machines similar to those used on Election Day. In-person absentee votes must be cast by close of business on Nov. 2, 2015.

Individuals who do not qualify to vote absentee in person may be eligible to vote by mail-in absentee ballot. Mail-in absentee ballot applications can be requested from the county clerk in person or via telephone, fax, or email. Applications for mail-in absentee ballots must be received by the county clerk’s office no later than Oct. 27, 2015, and the county clerk must receive the completed ballot by 6:00 p.m. on Election Day.

Under Secretary Grimes’ Military Heroes Voting Initiative, qualified military and overseas voters may apply for and receive an absentee ballot through an online portal.

Individuals with questions about absentee voting should contact their county clerk or the State Board of Elections. Additional information is also available at www.elect.ky.gov.