LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams encouraged both of the state's gubernatorial candidates Monday to promote early voting to their supporters.

"I think it's in both the governor's and the attorney general's interest to drive their supporters and get those votes banked now versus waiting until Tuesday when who knows what will happen with the weather," Adams said.

Both Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, the incumbent, and Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron have followed the directive. Adams, Kentucky's chief elections officer is pushing early voting to ensure it stays around in the Ccommonwealth.

Early, non-excused absentee voting opens to everyone around the state Thursday and runs through Saturday.

"We're pushing it harder this year than we normally do because we did see some lines last year, and this is the best way to prevent that," Adams said.

This year's gubernatorial election is expected to bring around a 40% turnout in the state. About 15% of those votes will come early, as trends from the last two years have indicated.

State officials are hoping to keep the early voting option alive in Kentucky and possibly expand the opportunities.

Neighboring states have at least seven days of early voting opportunities.

"I do think that, over time, it will catch on greater," Adams said. "But I strongly encourage Kentuckians to use it. I really don't want to see it get repealed. My concern is if people don't utilize it, the legislature will say, 'We're wasting money on all these early voting days. We'll just go back to one.' I hope that doesn't happen."

Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for early voting, Thursday through Saturday.

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