FRANKFORT -- Secretary of State Trey Grayson said he expects Kentucky's elections to run smoothly on Tuesday. The state has safeguards in place that would prevent Kentucky from having similar problems like Florida had in the 2000 presidential election. Still, there are various questions or concerns voters may have on Election Day. Here are some voter facts that could help eliminate possible confusion:
Q. Where do I vote?
A. State law requires voters to cast their votes at the polling place in the precinct where they live, Grayson said. "You can only vote if you're in the correct precinct," Grayson said. Voters may call their local county clerk's office or the State Board of Elections, at 502-573-1000, if they have any questions. The Kentucky Secretary of State's Office also has a Voter Information Center set up on the Internet at www.elect.ky.gov where voters can check their registration status and voting locations.
Q. Is it too late for me to register to vote?
A. Yes. Kentucky's deadline for voters to register for Tuesday's election was Oct. 4.
Q. When can I vote, and how long are the polls open?
A. Kentucky's polls are open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.
Q. What happens if I'm in line and the polls close?
A. State law says the local precinct sheriff must stand at the end of the voting line at 6 p.m. Voters who are in the voting line by 6 p.m. local time will be allowed to vote.
Q. What kind of identification do I need?
A. Kentucky requires all voters to meet an identification requirement. Voters must either show their identification or be known or recognized by the poll worker. State law allows voters to show different forms of identification to meet the requirement: driver's license, Social Security card, credit card or another form of identification that shows a person's signature and photo.
Q. If I'm in the voting booth and have a question, what do I do?
A. Voters may ask the local poll workers for help if they have any questions.
Q. What if I'm not going to be in my home precinct, or unable to vote on Election Day?
A. In certain circumstances, voters may cast absentee ballots through the local county clerk's office. Voters have until Monday, Nov. 1, to cast absentee ballots in person at their local clerk's office. Voters may qualify to cast an absentee ballot through the mail or in person for various reasons, including if they are: students away from home; in the military; citizens overseas; on vacation; out of the county because of work or some other reason or unable to vote in person because of an illness or disability. Counting of absentee ballots starts at 10 a.m. on Election Day.
Q. What is a provisional ballot?
A. Provisional ballots are a "last resort ballot," Grayson says. A provisional ballot is intended for voters whose eligibility to vote is called into question for some reason. Voters casting provisional ballots may only vote on federal races, including president, U.S. Senate and Congress. Provisional ballots are counted after the election, and on a case-by-case basis by the local county board of elections. Voters may be eligible to cast a provisional ballot for the following reasons: their name is not on the polling place's eligible voter list and poll workers cannot determine their status; they dispute that they are ineligible to vote; they do not meet identification requirements; a court order has extended polling hours; or their eligibility is called into question by all four election officers at the local precinct.
Q. Who do I call if I have a question about the election?
A. General questions about the election can go to the local county clerk's office.
Q. Who do I call if I want to report any concerns or possible improprieties concerning the election?
A. The state has an Election Fraud hotline at 1-800-328-VOTE.