Beshear, Adams unveil voting plan, closer to knowing winners on election night

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Gov. Andy Beshear and Secretary of State Michael Adams unveiled a procedure for voting in November with a compromise that expands voting opportunity and still gets close to knowing a winner on election night.

On Friday, Secretary Adams sent Gov. Beshear a formal letter of recommendation, and the Governor issued an Executive Order that outlines procedures for the state’s General Election, to be held Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

“Secretary Adams and I were able to put partisanship aside and develop a plan for the General Election that puts the health and safety of Kentuckians first,” Gov. Beshear said. “This plan provides more time and options to vote in this General Election than ever before.”

“Gov. Beshear and I worked together across the partisan divide to fashion election rules that are fair to every voter regardless of party,” Secretary Adams said. “We kept the best of what worked in the June primary, especially giving voters options to safely cast their votes, and we built on that record with improvements more in-person voting locations, and faster election results.”

Gov. Beshear and Secretary Adams also worked across party lines to reach an agreement ahead of Kentucky’s primary elections, which were considered a national model and a success in the commonwealth and across the country with near record turnout while allowing Kentuckians to vote safely during the pandemic.

perhaps the most-notable provisions include ones that will have county clerks county absentee, early, and in-person votes that have been received on election night, giving at least some idea of winners. Mail-in ballots that must be received within three days of the election will be counted later in the week and a final total provided.

The plan also includes an improved “cure process” to reduce the number of ballots that are thrown out because of voter errors and mis-matched signatures.

“One of the biggest complaints I heard was not knowing the results election night,” Adams said of the process used for the June 23 primary that did not produce results until June 30.

The two also expressed confidence in the Postal Service, although the plan is built to not depend so much on the agency by moving the ballot request deadlines up to allow plenty of time to get ballots to voters and for voters to get them back.

Increasing dropbox locations in counties and encouraging in-person early voting also are meant to relieve the pressure on mail service.

“I’m not going to knock the postal service,” Adams said, later noting a 96 percent delivery rate which it doesn’t meet isn’t good enough.

“If we undermine the post office, we crush rural communities…for many counties in Kentucky can’t live without it,” Beshear added.

Adams said his goal is to get 15,000 poll workers, which is the number needed to operate an election with all 3,000 precincts open. But he realizes that likely won’t happen in the current conditions.

Since a new online registration system opened last week, 1,000 people have volunteered, he said.

Beshear noted that if necessary, he would authorize National Guardsmen to help in areas where county clerks asked for them as he did in June.

“We have not put all our eggs in one basket,” Adams noted, suggesting the plan reaches every kind of voter, from the experienced who goes to the polls all the time to those who only vote every four years.

And as for he and Beshear being able to work together across party lines — Adams is a Republican and Beshear is a Democrat — Adams put it simply: “There always will be people on the right and people on the left and conspiracy theorists who think votes are being suppressed or there is fraud. I think more than 80 percent” will accept the plan.

In the weeks ahead, the Governor, Secretary of State, State Board of Elections and local election officials will educate Kentuckians on the General Election plan.

Details of the plan include:

Absentee ballot by mail

• Kentuckians concerned with contracting or spreading COVID-19 can request a ballot by mail.
• An online portal will launch within the week to allow Kentuckians to request a ballot by mail. Ballots can be requested through the portal through Oct. 9, and through traditional means after.
• Mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day, Nov. 3, and received by Nov. 6.
• Drop boxes will be available for Kentuckians to return their mail ballots if they are concerned about postal delays. County clerks will determine these locations.

Early voting

• Beginning Oct. 13, three weeks before the election, every work day between Oct. 13 and Election Day, and every Saturday for at least four hours, every county clerk will provide a location for safe in-person voting.
• Early voting is not absentee voting anyone can vote early for any reason.

Election Day voting

• County election officials will decide election sites on Election Day. The State Board of Elections, Secretary of State and Governor will approve each plan.
• Every county will have at least one voting super-center, where everyone from the county can go to vote, regardless of his or her precinct.

Voter identification

• Kentuckians who were unable to get a drivers licenses or photo ID due to the pandemic because their clerks office was closed, or because they were afraid of exposing themselves to COVID-19, can sign a document explaining this concern and cast their ballot.
• Photo ID to Vote, Secretary Adams’ signature legislative initiative, will be implemented, but limited relief is granted: Any person who is not able to get a Photo ID due to COVID-19 will be able to vote with a non-photo ID. Also, absentee voters who have a Photo ID but are not able to provide a copy of it will be able to vote.

  The voter registration portal that was such a success in June, will open again and link to Kentucky’s drivers license database.

  County plans to reduce election day voting locations will need the approval of the Governor and Secretary of State.

  All counties will count and report all votes received, including absentee votes, on election night.