With all the changes in this primary, it’s important that the information about voting be clear, concise, and easy to find. Here’s a short checklist to make sure your county clerk’s website passes muster.
Absentee Ballots
- Does the site make it clear that it is too late to request an absentee ballot if you haven’t already done so?
- Is there a clear and obvious reminder that absentee ballots must be postmarked by June 23 and no later?
- Does the site list any drop-off ballot boxes and their locations?
- Does the site include other facts to know about absentee voting, such as:
- Postage is pre-paid.
- Absentee ballots can only be mailed in or dropped off in special ballot boxes; they can NOT be dropped off at county clerk offices or driver’s license office.
- What to do if you requested an absentee ballot and didn’t get one.
- What to do if you have an absentee ballot but have decided you would rather vote in person.
- What number(s) to call with questions.
In-Person Absentee Voting
- Does the site make it clear that in-person absentee voting (in-person voting before election day) is permitted for anyone who wants to use it?
- Are the locations, dates, and times for in-person absentee voting clearly spelled out?
- If appointments are required for in-person absentee voting, is it clear how to make that appointment?
Election Day Voting
- Are the polling locations clearly listed, along with the address?
- Does the site include health instructions for in-person voting, such as wearing a mask?
- Are the hours for in-person voting on Election Day clearly indicated? (They haven’t changed — still 6 AM to 6 PM local time — but better to list them to reduce confusion.)
For a good example of a site that covers almost all of these bases and is pretty user-friendly, check out the Jefferson County Clerk’s site.
All of this information is important and helpful, and will reduce confusion and increase turnout — which is the goal, right?
(Did we miss anything that should be on the site? Drop us a note at Webmaster@ForwardKY.com and we’ll update the post.)
–30–