Here’s how to vote early or absentee in Kentucky

BY NATHAN GRANGER | LINK nky REPORTER

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been some changes to the way early voting works in Kentucky. Here’s what to know if you’re not planning to vote in person on May 16.

Absentee Voting

Any resident from any county who wishes to vote using an absentee ballot can request a ballot by visiting govote.ky.gov and clicking on the first option on the menu. The website also has information about polling locations, registration status and sample ballots. The deadline to request a mail-in ballot was May 2 at 11:59 p.m. Absentee ballots must be received by local boards of election by 6 p.m. on Election Day in order to be counted.

Northern Kentucky residents who wish to vote by mail should follow the instructions given to them in the ballot packets they receive in the mail upon making a ballot request.

Residents can also drop their absentee ballots into marked drop boxes at the locations below if they would rather not mail their ballots.

Boone County absentee ballot drop boxes:

• Boone County Clerk’s Office at 2950 Washington St. in Burlington

• Florence Government Center at 8100 Ewing Blvd. in Florence

Campbell County absentee ballot drop box:

• Campbell County Clerk’s Office at 8330 W. Main St. in Alexandria

Kenton County absentee ballot drop boxes:

• Kenton County Government Center at 1840 Simon Kenton Way in Covington

• Historic Kenton County Courthouse at 5272 Madison Pike in Independence

Excused Early Voting

Excused in-person voting refers to cast- ing an absentee ballot in person, rather than submitting it via mail or dropping it in a drop box. In order to cast an in-person absentee ballot, a person must meet the normal requirements for casting a mail-in ballot, such as living outside of one’s county of permanent residence or being actively deployed in military service.

Northern Kentucky residents can cast absentee ballots in person at the following locations.

Boone County excused in-person voting:

• Boone County Clerk’s Office Registration Department at 2950 Washington St. in Burlington from May 3 to May 10 during normal business hours, which vary depending on the day of the week. To see business hours for the Boone County Clerk’s Office, visit https://www.booneclerk.com/our_office/locations_and_hours.php.

Campbell County excused in-person voting:

• Campbell County Administration Building at 1098 Monmouth St. in Newport from May 3 to May 10 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Kenton County excused in-person voting:

• Kenton County Government Center at 1840 Simon Kenton Way in Covington on May 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Normal Early Voting

Not eligible for an absentee ballot? That’s OK; residents can still vote early in their county of residence at one of the locations below. Residents can vote at any of the locations in their county.

Boone County early voting:

• Boone County Enrichment Center, lower level at 1824 Patrick Drive in Burlington

• Thursday, May 11, 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.

• Friday, May 12, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Saturday, May 13, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Campbell County residents can vote early at the following locations from May 11 to May 13 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.:

• Campbell County Administration Building at 1098 Monmouth St. in Newport

• Cold Spring Branch of First Baptist Church at 4410 Alexandria Pike in Cold Spring

• Southern Campbell County Fire Department at 1050 Race Track Road in Alexandria

Kenton County residents can vote early at the following locations from May 11 to May 13 between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.:

• Kenton County Library Covington Branch at 502 Scott St. in Covington

• Lakeside Christian Church at 195 Buttermilk Pike in Lakeside Park

• Kenton County Government Center at 1840 Simon Kenton Way in Covington

• Calvary Baptist Church at 3711 Tibbatts St. in Covington

• Independence Senior Center at 2001 Jackwoods Parkway in Independence