On Friday, April 24, Governor Beshear and Secretary of State Adams announced they had reached an agreement on greatly expanding absentee voting for the June primary election, and that the state Board of Elections would be drawing up guidelines for voting in that primary.
Beshear had made it clear for some time that he did not want to put citizens, and especially poll workers (who tend to be older) at risk by relying on in-person voting. Adams has been opposed to mail-in voting in the past, but agreed with Beshear about the dangers posed by in-person voting. In the end, they agreed on expanding the absentee ballot process to a no-questions absentee ballot request, through an online portal where the voter’s registration could be verified.
Adams added that the process for this election would also allow the BOE to further clean up the voter rolls, fulfilling an agreement the state made with the Department of Justice some years ago.
In-person voting will still happen, but in fewer locations, and possibly with further process changes. Adams specifically mentioned the possibility of drive-through voting, for example.
On Thursday, Adams sent a formal recommendation to Beshear via letter. On the following day, Beshear issued an executive order outlining the official guidance for the primary. The executive order includes these points:
- All Kentuckians should utilize absentee voting by mail for the June 23, 2020 primary election if they are able to do so.
- The State Board of Elections shall promulgate emergency regulations to provide for such expanded absentee voting by mail. The State Board of Elections shall, among other changes, create a secure online portal that will allow voters to request that the absentee ballot be mailed to them. The State Board of Elections shall send a postcard to each registered voter informing voters of the ability, and the process, to vote absentee by mail in the June 23, 2020 primary.
- The State Board of Election shall take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of county clerks and poll workers when direct voting (not by mail) is necessary, including but not limited to:
- permitting in-person absentee voting to being June 8, 2020;
- directing clerks to prioritize such voters by appointment;
- providing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) and materials to assist in proper sanitization to clerks and poll workers; and
- instructing county clerks to implement procedures that limit direct contact between individuals, whether poll workers or voters. Such procedures shall promote a method of voting, such as drive-through voting, whereby poll workers do not come into contact with voters.
Statements by Beshear and Adams
Governor Beshear: “Today’s Executive Order and regulations that will be created by the Kentucky State Board of Elections will allow all Kentuckians who are registered to vote for the upcoming primary to vote by mail through an absentee ballot. While there will be significant education and work required, we are committed to making sure this election will be held in a safe manner while we are in this worldwide health pandemic.”
Secretary of State Adams: “Voters across the political spectrum will be pleased with this plan to protect both democracy and public health. I’m grateful to Governor Beshear for his leadership, and his working in good faith with me toward ensuring a successful and safe election.”
Praise from KY League of Women Voters
The League of Women Voters released this statement after the voting agreement was announced:
“The League of Women Voters of Kentucky applauds Governor Andy Beshear, Secretary of State Michael Adams, and the Kentucky Board of Elections for their bipartisan efforts to ensure that Kentucky’s June Primary Election will be fair, safe and accessible in the midst of the current pandemic. By greatly increasing absentee voting by mail and early voting opportunities, citizens can vote without endangering their health or that of election workers.
“Voting is fundamental to our democracy, and it’s heartening to see bi-partisan cooperation that will provide every eligible citizen the opportunity to safely exercise that right in this year’s Primary Election.”
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