The Barren County Clerk’s Office resides inside this building, which is located along the north side of the Glasgow Square.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)
GLASGOW — The primary election in Kentucky is about a month away. Here’s what you should know.
When is the primary election?
The actual primary election in Kentucky is scheduled May 17. There are several “early voting” dates this year, which will allow Kentuckians and locals to vote ahead of time.
Helena Birdwell, Barren County Clerk, said “early voting” will take place May 12, 13 and 14. But several changes have been made this year, including the location, length of time to vote early and procedures to follow.
“Anyone can vote early the three days before the election,” Birdwell said.
The location for early voting will be at the UK Extension Office in Barren County, which is located at 1463 W. Main St. in Glasgow. It will be daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What should I know now?
The state deadline to register to vote in the May primary is Monday, April 18 at 4 p.m. local time. Click here to register to vote.
Registration may also be completed at the Barren Clerk’s Office, which is located at 117 N. Public Square, Suite 1A. It’s the building directly across from the Barren County Courthouse.
The state portal to request an absentee ballot also opened earlier this month. The last day to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, May 3 at 11:59 p.m.
The state allowed almost all voters to request an absentee ballot during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic due to restrictions placed on congregating in public places. The former requirements to receive an absentee ballot are reinstated this year, Birdwell said.
“Make sure and go ahead and get started early in requesting that those absentee ballots be sent to you,” Birdwell said.
People with disabilities or those unable to vote during “early voting” or on May 17 may be eligible.
Click here to request an absentee ballot and search qualifications to receive an absentee ballot.
Where will I vote in Barren County this year?
Barren County has 25 voting precincts, which are divided among various geographic regions. Voters formerly were assigned to those precincts and a particular voting site. That is no longer the case.
Voters will have the choice this year to cast votes at four “voting centers” in the county regardless of their physical address.
“This is a huge cost savings for the county, and it helps with the number of election workers that we have to have,” Birdwell said.
The voting centers will be located at Barren County High School’s gymnasium, Haywood Volunteer Fire Department, Austin Tracy Volunteer Fire Department and Cave City Convention Center.
“No matter where your normal precinct is, you can go to any of those locations and vote,” Birdwell said. “They are designed for you to be able to get in and out quickly.”
Every ballot face will be all voting centers, and ballots in Barren County will be fully on paper.
Stay tuned to WCLURadio.com for the latest Election 2022 information. Download the WCLU Radio app for the latest and breaking news updates.