LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- The deadline to request an absentee ballot in Kentucky is fast approaching. The portal closes on Friday at 11:59 p.m.
Because of the pandemic, the state has made it easier than ever to vote absentee. No excuse is needed.
Secretary of State Michael Adams said so far, fewer than 20% of the state's registered voters have requested a ballot. Still, he said, he is pleased.
"That's right in the sweet spot," Adams said. "That's enough that we see that it's working, that the word is getting out, that voters who have concerns are able to utilize this effectively. But it's also not so many that it will overwhelm the system."
Adams said the number is actually lower than during the primary election, but he said the state expects two-and-a-half times the turnout for the general election.
The Jefferson County Clerk's office believes that, by the deadline, close to 200,000 voters will have requested an absentee ballot. That is roughly one-third of the county's registered voters.
“We've been getting in anywhere from a little over 2,000 to 5,000 a day,” said spokesperson Nore Ghibaudy.
At the clerk's office, Ghibaudy said it is all hands on deck for processing those ballots and mailing them out. It generally takes a week to 10 days to get a ballot once it is requested.
“And I do know that we maybe are at the end of September right now, moving into the October schedule,” he said.
Starting Tuesday, there will be four locations to drop-off absentee ballots: the Kentucky Expo Center, the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage, the KFC Yum Center, and the Marriott East.
They will be open weekdays and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Election Day, all 20 voting locations will have drop boxes. However, there is no drive-thru option.
“The voters will have to go inside to put their ballot in the box. The way that it's set up with Kentucky laws, you can't have can't have a drive-up outside,” said Ghibaudy. “They've got to be monitored and watched the entire time for the security of the people who are voting and their ballot.”
Voters do not have to drop off their ballots in-person. They can mail them in as long as they are postmarked before 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3.
The rules also allow for another person, such as a friend or family member, drop off the ballot. Face coverings are required at all drop-off locations.
In-person voting starts Tuesday, Oct. 13. To request an absentee ballot, CLICK HERE. You can also check back on the same page to inquire about the status of your ballot.
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