By Angela Hatton
Frankfort, KY – Kentucky polls open tomorrow morning at six, and the Secretary of State's office will be ready to field voter complaints. Deputy Secretary of State Les Fugate says poll workers will be watching for electioneering within 300 feet of the polling place. The race between U-S Senate candidates Jack Conway and Rand Paul has been heated in the last few weeks, but Fugate says that likely won't carry over to the polls.
"We did have some complaints about the Paul campaign in the primary, but I think they're well aware of what they can and cannot do, and we don't expect there will be any of those kinds of activities in the general election. But you never know. A lot of the volunteers will try to go out on their own and try to get voters as their entering the polling places, and we always have odd things that occur on Election Day."
Voters may still wear political t-shirts and buttons inside their polling place, but they can't push their views on others.
Kentucky Election Day Dos and Don'ts
Do: Verify your voter registration status before you head to the polls. Visit the Voter Information Center at www.vote.ky.gov/vic
Don't: Get discouraged by long lines or long ballots. You can be prepared by previewing your ballot online at Vote.Ky.Gov. Remember, as long as you are in line by 6 PM, local time, on November 2nd you will be able to cast your ballot.
Do: Know where to go to vote. The Vote.Ky.Gov website has the Voter Information Center that allows voters to both find the address of their polling place and to obtain driving directions from their residence.
Don't: Campaign or solicit votes within 300 feet of a polling place. Electioneering in the immediate area around polling places is illegal in Kentucky. However, you will not be turned away from the polls for simply wearing a campaign button, shirt, hat, etc.
Do: Know the most convenient times to vote are during low traffic periods: not during the morning rush hour, lunch, or the evening rush hour. Remember, polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. However, if you are in line by the close of polls at 6:00 p.m. local time, you will be allowed to vote.
Don't: Wait until the last minute to head to the polls. You may encounter traffic or another unexpected delay. If you are not in line by 6:00 p.m. local time, you will not be allowed to vote.
Do: Bring identification to the polls on Election Day. Types of acceptable voter ID include: personal acquaintance of precinct officer, driver's license, social security card, credit card, or another form of ID containing both picture and signature.
Don't: Use prohibited items at the polls such as video cameras, cell phones, or any other device that can record the identity of voters. If you bring a cell phone to the polls, you are encouraged to place it on silent or vibrate.
Do: Know what races are on your ballot. Newspapers across the Commonwealth print sample ballots, and you can find them online at Vote.Ky.Gov and posted in each precinct.
Don't: Cast a provisional ballot at the incorrect polling place. If a poll worker tells you that you are at the wrong polling place, please take the time to go to the correct location to make sure your voice is heard. Provisional ballots cast at the incorrect polling place will not be counted.
Do: Ask a poll worker for instructions on how to use the voting machine or ask other procedural questions of the precinct election officials if you are confused about the voting process.
Don't: Get caught up in election rumors. To get the facts, visit: www.vote.ky.gov/rumorcontrol.
Do: Let officials know immediately if you encounter any problems at the polls. Start with your precinct election officers and county clerk, or call the State Board of Elections at (502) 573-7100.
Don't: Forget to thank your poll workers. Without the nearly 15,000 Kentuckians that have volunteered to be poll workers across our state, this election would not be possible. They work long days on the front lines of our elections and deserve our appreciation. Contact your county clerk if you are interested in helping in the future.
Do: Call your friends and family to remind them to vote. All elections are important as it is one way that you can make your voice heard.
Don't: Forget that you can obtain all of the election results in near real time by visiting www.elect.ky.gov after the polls have closed.
