MURRAY – Today marked the start of no-excuse early voting in Kentucky, and Calloway County voters jumped at the first chance to cast their ballots in the 2024 General Election.
“There’s been over 2,000 people voting today, so it’s been constant,” said Calloway County Clerk Antonia Faulkner, adding, “I think this is going to be a record.”
One poll worker said there was already a line at 7 a.m., an hour before opening. According to Faulkner, people were waiting in their vehicles when she arrived at 6 a.m. Just shy of 5:30 p.m. this evening, she reported people were still lined up to vote.
The lines were simply a result of overwhelming turnout. Poll workers were efficiently moving people through the precinct, so despite the length of the line, wait times were relatively short.
At 10 a.m., several leaving the Annex who took their place in line in front of First Baptist Church said the process took 30 minutes at most. This evening, Faulkner said most were in and out in 20 minutes.
“We’re super excited. Two more days of this, and then, of course, we’ll have Election Day,” Faulkner said, “if there’s anybody left to vote!”
On Election Day, voters will be able to go to any one of the eight precincts located throughout the city and county, but early voting only takes place at the Robert O. Miller Courthouse Annex, 211 S. 4th St. The precinct is open until 6 p.m. today, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Proof of identification is required to vote. Voters should bring a photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, military ID or school ID. Per the definition of “proof of identification” in KRS 117.001, IDs are required to have the voters name and photograph; however, they do not have to be valid. In other words, an expired driver’s license is an acceptable form of ID.
“Ideally, you have your current Kentucky driver’s license,” Faulkner said. “That makes it simple and streamlined, but there are other means of identification. We’re just going to have to fill out different forms. First, we need to make sure that you’re registered to vote.”
Alternative forms of identification include social security card, any ID card with the voter’s name and photo, an electronic benefits transfer (EBT) card or a credit card. Also, election official can verify the identity of voters with whom they have a personal relationship.
“We’re encouraging people to get out and vote early, and then from there we’ll take care of the rest of Election Day,” Faulkner said, adding, “If they didn’t make it to the early voting – which we are completely encouraging – go ahead and call (the county clerk’s office) and make sure they know they’re registered to vote. We can double check that.”
Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Calloway County voters can cast their ballots at any one of eight polling locations: CFSB Center, Elm Grove Baptist Church, Hazel Baptist Church, Kirksey Baptist Church, Murray High School, New Concord Church of Christ, North Elementary School and Southwest Elementary School.
Each vote center has all of the ballots for every precinct in the county. For example, a voter who lives in Murray is welcome to vote at the vote center in Kirksey Baptist Church and will still be able to vote in the Murray City Council race.
Anyone who is still unsure about where to vote, Faulkner said, can call her office at 270-753-3923 for more information about how vote centers operate.
“The game has started,” Faulkner said. “We’re going to play it to the end, and it’s going to be great. I’m so excited about today no matter what happens the rest of the time.”
Editor’s note: This story was updated on Oct. 31 at 8:25 p.m.
