Absentee voting is now underway for Kentucky’s November 8 general election, Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes announced Tuesday.

Grimes said “Casting a ballot in our democratic elections is a right and a responsibility. We’ve seen a huge uptick in registration over the last few months with nearly 20,000 Kentuckians registering for the first time using…GoVoteKY.com.” The secretary is also hoping for a record turnout on Election Day. Individuals who may be eligible to vote by mail-in absentee ballot include military personnel, students and voters temporarily outside the county, voters incarcerated but not yet convicted, and voters with advanced age or suffering from disability or illness. Voters may request an absentee ballot application from their county clerk in person or via telephone, fax, or email.

Applications for mail-in absentee ballots must be received by the clerk’s office no later than November 1. The completed absentee ballot must be returned by mail and received y the county clerk by 6pm local time on Election Day.