Ky. Secretary of State claims no excuse absentee voting unlikely in the fall

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Under 100 days are left until the November General Election. The Kentucky Secretary of State will soon lay out his plans for voters, adding some things may not be quite the same as they were in the primary.

Secretary Michael Adams said he wants more polling places, quicker results, and doesn’t think the state should see the same level of absentee voting.

Adams said there are three possibilities for absentee balloting in Kentucky. First, follow current law, which allows for only eight or nine types of people to have excuses to vote absentee. Second, no-excuse absentee voting, where all are allowed to cast an absentee ballot like the June primary. Third, somewhere in the middle.

Kentucky State Senate Minority Floor Leader Morgan McGarvey (D-Louisville) said every option to vote should be made available to every Kentuckian, including in-person, absentee and early voting. McGarvey said clerks’ offices should be preparing for that and receive additional funds to help do it.

Other groups like the ACLU of Kentucky agree and have taken legal action asking for no-excuse absentee voting in November. Advocacy Director Kate Miller said, not only are people concerned about their health right now but may have trouble voting for other reasons, like a lack of child care.

Adams said he will lay out his election plan in early August, possibly as soon as next week.