County Clerk Explains Voting Options For November Election

National and Local Races Featured on Ballot, Plus Two Amendments and a Local Option

Darren Doyle, story:
The 2024 November General Election is one month away and because of the high profile nature of the ballot, higher turnout is expected.

Edmonson County Clerk Kevin Alexander has provided information that can be helpful to registered county voters, which lays out four different ways to vote in Edmonson County for the big election.

Local voters will cast their vote for President of the United States, U.S. Congress, State Senator, Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors, and Brownsville City residents will choose six city council members from seven candidates. The rest of the races on the ballot are unopposed.

There will also be two state constitutional amendments: one and two, with Amendment One prohibiting non-U.S. citizens from voting in a KY election. Amendment 2 would allow tax payer funding to be used for private schools.

There is also a local option that would allow the sale of medical marijuana at licensed dispensaries, as well as the operation of cannabis-based businesses in Edmonson County.

The Edmonson County Clerk’s Office has been accepting ballot requests since September 21st, which is one of the options.  The online absentee request portal, located at govote.ky.gov, will remain open through October 22nd until 11:59 pm. This is for absentee voters who must follow legal valid restrictions, only.

“We’ve had several requests from individuals, and we expect that to remain pretty steady until the portal closes” County Clerk Kevin Alexander said.  “There is a lot of interest in this election, naturally.”

For this option, voters can mail their ballots back to the office in the envelope provided at their expense, or they may drop off their absentee ballot in the ballot drop box in within the Edmonson County Clerk’s Office located at 108 Main Street in Brownsville. This is for those who must provide a valid, legal reason why they will not be able to vote on excused early voting days or on Election Day.

Clerk Alexander noted that voting on these days will require a person to fill out paperwork as to why they cannot vote in-person on the three days of no-excuse, in-person early voting or on Election Day.

The second option is excused, in-person voting.

After the portal closes (option one), the period for excused early voting begins.  There are six days when voters can vote, in-person, with a valid excuse at the Edmonson County Clerk’s Office.  Hours for these days run concurrent with the regular office hours of the Clerk’s office. 

Beginning Wednesday, October 23rd, excused early voting will run from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.  On Thursday, October 24th, voting will be conducted from 8:00 am – Noon, while on Friday, October 25th, opportunity to vote will be offered from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.  There will be no voting on Saturday, October 26th.  The following Monday through Wednesday, October 28-30, excused early voting will again be at the Clerk’s office from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm.

“We are strongly encouraging people to use the three days of no-excuse, in-person, early voting on October 31st, November 1st, and November 2nd “ Alexander added.  “Each of these days we will be open from 8:00 am to at least 4:00 pm, with Friday the 1st extended to 5:00 pm.” 

Election Day is Tuesday, November 5th, where all regular polling places will be open as it was with the spring Primary election.  Voters in Edmonson County can continue to use their regular polling place, or choose to use of one of the three “vote centers."

The added centers include the Edmonson County Community Center, South Edmonson Elementary School, and Kyrock Elementary.  Any voter can use these centers in addition to their regular polling place.

“We tested the Community Center in the Spring as our first vote center, and it went well” said Alexander.  “Offering a vote center in Brownsville, as well as each side of the river on or near the main road simply gives voters more options.” 

Alexander also reminded voters to bring identification.  He said a driver’s license is the best form, but an identification card will work as well. 

“While the poll worker may very well have known you for years, it’s just easier when you have the ID ready for them to scan so we can get people their correct ballot in a timely manner," he said. "It is our hope that people will get out and vote."

The final day to register to vote is October 7th.