At a time when election officials are facing more scrutiny and voters have more options on how and when they can cast their ballot, county clerks are rethinking how they communicate with residents about procedures for the 2022 general election. Kentuckians have four ways to vote:
- Mail-in absentee (deadline to request ballot was Oct. 25)
- In-person excused absentee Oct. 26, 27, 28, 31 and Nov. 1 and 2
- In-person early voting Nov. 3, 4, 5
- In-person Election Day Nov. 8
“It is confusing for people,” said Bell County Clerk Debbie Gambrel. “That’s why the postcards help.”
Gambrel utilizes a Facebook page and newspaper advertising to share voting information as well, but said the mailers are more effective at getting the word out because not everyone may check social media or read the paper. Her office sent out a large postcard to every household in the county outlining voting options along with the times and polling locations available. This election marks the third time the Bell County clerk’s office has sent a mailer.
“A lot of people called to request mail-in ballots the day the mailers went out. So people were definitely getting them, and it was getting their attention,” said Deputy Clerk Kayla Carnes.
Anderson County Clerk Jason Denny, who is also president of the Kentucky County Clerks Association, said the COVID-19 pandemic created new voting opportunities that may be unfamiliar to many voters.
“Before 2020, we never sent mailers out. Because [voting] was Election Day only, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., here you go,” Denny said. “But now we’ve had to change that, and I think for the short haul we’re going to have to continue [sending postcards] to get voters used to it.”
This election marks the first time the Boone County clerk’s office has sent out a countywide mailer, which Clerk Justin Crigler hopes will help increase voter turnout.
“This is the first time we’ve been that extensive. We send out postcards generally if there’s a new polling location or if somebody’s moved, or we opened up a new precinct,” Crigler said. “We’re trying to be as transparent, as open as possible to let everybody know every avenue through which they can and would vote.”
Madison County Clerk Kenny Barger also added postcards to his advertising budget this year and said the feedback has been positive.
“People really appreciated it. I got several calls and I’ve seen people out that have thanked us for sending the mailer. Folks want to be informed, it’s just not a day-to-day thing that they think about.”
The style, size and content included on the voting procedures postcards vary from county to county. Bell County opted to increase their mailer to an 11 x 6” card to have more room for information. The 6 x 4” postcard from Kenton County Clerk Gabrielle Summe has a QR code that directs voters to the clerk’s office website, which includes tutorial videos and a list of voter frequently asked questions.
Budgeting for Election Day advertising and voter outreach is also up to each individual clerk’s office local board of elections. Mailers, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars to produce and send, were cost prohibitive for Barren County Clerk Helena Birdwell’s budget. Instead, she speaks regularly with local news media, posts videos on Facebook, and her office has purchased large banners to place outside of voting centers. Birdwell believes word of mouth is useful, too.
“I always encourage folks to talk with their neighbors and family members, especially folks you know don’t have social media, and let them know what the new changes are,” Birdwell said.
Regardless of how people vote or how they heard about the process, county clerks agree the biggest message is the importance of voters fulfilling their civic duty.
“Just vote, whatever way is best for you. Everybody needs to vote,” Gambrel said. “Your vote is your voice.”
