A new law to strengthen Kentucky’s early voting statutes took effect late Tuesday, April 12, Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes announced Wednesday. Governor Matt Bevin signed House Bill 319 into law just before the 10-day veto period expired after the General Assembly adjourned. Prior to the enactment of House Bill 319, voters who could not vote in person on Election Day due to age, disability or illness could only cast absentee ballots by mail. Those voters may now visit their county clerk’s office to cast ballots in-person during the absentee voting window. Another provision of the new law allows counties to require parties pushing special local option election not held on regular election days to pay for those elections, saving counties thousands of dollars in election costs.