County clerk explains voting options for the November election

Darren Doyle, story:
The November 2024 general election is just a month away and higher voter turnout is expected due to the high profile of the ballot.

Edmonson County Clerk Kevin Alexander has provided information that may be helpful to registered county voters by describing four different ways to vote in the big election in Edmonson County.

Local voters will cast their ballots for the President of the United States, U.S. Congress, State Senator and Soil and Water Conservation District supervisors, and Brownsville City residents will elect six City Council members from seven candidates. The remaining races on the ballot are unopposed.

There will also be two state constitutional amendments: one and two, with amendment one banning non-U.S. citizens from voting in elections in Kentucky. Amendment 2 would allow tax dollars to be used for private schools.

There is also a local option that would allow medical marijuana sales at licensed dispensaries as well as the operation of cannabis businesses in Edmonson County.

The Edmonson County Clerk's Office has been accepting ballot applications since September 21, which is one of the options. The online portal for absence requests at govote.ky.govremains open until October 22nd until 11:59 p.m. This only applies to postal voters who must comply with legal restrictions.

“We have received several inquiries from individuals and expect those to remain fairly stable until the portal is closed,” said County Clerk Kevin Alexander. “There is of course great interest in this election.”

Under this option, voters may return their ballots to the office in the envelope provided at their expense or they may drop their absentee ballots into ballot drop boxes at the Edmonson County Clerk's Office at 108 Main Street in Brownsville. This applies to those who must provide a valid, legal reason why they cannot vote on excused early voting days or on Election Day.

Clerk Alexander noted that when voting on these days, a person must fill out paperwork explaining why they cannot vote in person on the three days of no-excuse, in-person early voting or on Election Day.

The second option is excused in-person voting.

After the portal is closed (option one), the period for excused early voting begins. There are six days during which voters can vote in person at the Edmonson County Clerk's Office with a valid excuse. The opening hours on these days are parallel to the regular office hours of the clerk's office.

Starting Wednesday, October 23rd, excused early voting will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Voting will take place on Thursday, October 24th from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., while voting will take place on Friday, October 25th from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There will be no voting on Saturday, October 26th. Excused early voting will again take place the following Monday through Wednesday, October 28th and 30th, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the clerk's office.

“We strongly encourage people to take advantage of the three days of no-excuse, in-person and early voting on October 31, November 1 and November 2,” Alexander added. “On each of these days we will be open from 8am until at least 4pm, with Friday 1st extending until 5pm.”

Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th. All regular polling stations will be open on this day, as they were for the spring primaries. Voters in Edmonson County can continue to use their regular polling place or use one of three “vote centers.”

Centers added include the Edmonson County Community Center, South Edmonson Elementary School and Kyrock Elementary. Every voter can use these centers in addition to their regular polling station.

“We tested the Community Center as our first voting center in the spring and it went well,” Alexander said. “Offering a vote center in Brownsville and on both sides of the river on or near Main Street simply provides voters with more options.”

Alexander also reminded voters to bring ID. He said a driver's license is the best form, but an ID card would also work.

“While the poll worker may have known you for years, it makes it easier if you have ID ready to scan so we can get people their correct ballot in a timely manner,” he said. “We hope so. People will go out and vote.”

The last day to register to vote is October 7th.