Absentee voting underway in Ohio County

The coronavirus pandemic has altered so much of our lives, including the way some Kentuckians will be casting their ballot for the June 23 primary election.

For the first time, all Kentuckians are eligible to vote by absentee ballot either in person or by mail. Prior to the pandemic, Kentucky allowed absentee voting for only a few exceptions. For this primary, any registered voter can vote absentee either by mail or in person. In addition to voting by absentee ballot, there will be a voting center for voters to cast their ballot in person on election day.

To vote by mail, registered voters can go online to request a ballot or call the clerk’s office to request an application to have a ballot mailed. To request a ballot online, visit GoVoteKy.com. To obtain an absentee ballot, those applying will have to verify their social security number and date of birth. The deadline to request a ballot is June 15. All ballots must be postmarked no later than the date of the primary, June 23. Ballots can also be delivered to the clerk’s office.

Voters can also cast an absentee vote in person at Ohio County Clerk Bess Ralph’s office at the courthouse now through June 22. Ralph said voters need to bring a form of identification in order to vote.

Voters can also cast their ballot in person on June 23 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at one voting center which will be located in the Ohio County High School. Ralph all precincts will vote at the high school, but it will be set up to handle multiple voters at one time.

“I don’t want people to think it will be like everyone is voting at one precinct,” Ralph said. “We will be set up for multiple voters.”

Ralph said her office has seen a good response to early in-person voting and encourage voters to come in to vote if they want to vote in person.

“We encourage people to come in,” she said. “We don’t know what to expect (the day of the primary). We have never done this either. We are just following the guidelines and the rules the governor and state board has given us. I feel like we have it pretty organized and we can handle.”