Absentee voting by mail is now underway for Kentucky’s May 22 Primary Election. In-person absentee voting is open in many counties with all counties opening no later than Monday, May 7.
Marshall County Clerk Tim York said the county is making preparations for the big day. This year voters will cast ballots on new machines as the ones used in previous elections were stored at the county’s storage facility which burned in January.
York said voters normally casting ballots in the South Marshall Precinct will now vote at South Marshall Elementary School located at 155 Sid Darnall Road in Benton.
“Voting in our elections is both a right and a responsibility,” said Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes, Kentucky’s chief election official. “If you know you cannot make it to the polls on Election Day, there are a number of options for Kentuckians to cast a ballot, including by mail or in person before Election Day.”
To be qualified to vote by mail-in absentee ballot, a voter must be:
— Advanced in age, disabled, or ill
— Military personnel, their Dependents, or Overseas Citizens
— A student who temporarily resides outside the county
— Temporarily residing outside of Kentucky and who maintains eligibility to vote in Kentucky, such as a “snowbird”
— Incarcerated, but not yet convicted of a crime
— Prevented from voting in person at the polls on election day and from casting an in-person absentee ballot in the county clerk’s office on all days in-person absentee voting is conducted because of his or her employment location
— A participant 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. The deadline to apply for a mail-in absentee ballot with the county clerk is May 15. Completed absentee ballots must be returned by mail and received by the county clerk by 6 p.m. local time on Election Day.
Qualified military and overseas voters may use GoVoteKY.com to request and receive their blank absentee ballots.
Individuals who do not qualify to vote by mail-in absentee ballot may still be eligible to vote early in person prior to May 22, Primary Election Day. Voters should contact their county clerk for absentee voting hours. In-person absentee voting closes on May 21, the day before the Primary Election.
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 of Elections website.
Appearing on local ballots will be:
U.S. Rep. 1st Congressional District
Paul Walker (D)
Alonzo Pennington (D)
State Rep. 6th House Seat
Al Cunningham (D)
Linda Edwards (D)
Drew Williams (D)
Chris Freeland (R)
Randall Fox (R)
Sheriff
R. Kevin Byars (D)
Trent Weaver (D)
James D. Winnans Sr. (R)
Eddie McGuire (R)
1st District Commissioner
Jerome “Lee” Hicks Jr (D)
Justin Lamb (D)
Robert “Bob” Gold (D)
Ronnie Heath (D)
3rd District Commissioner
Buster Lovelace (R)
Monti R. Collins (R)
Coroner
Barry Dean Taylor (D)
Tracy C. Stevens (D)