BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

INEZ — The 2024 presidential primary election is 20 days away. However, in-person excused absentee voting starts next week and the deadline to request a mail-in absentee ballot is Tuesday. 

Voters can request an absentee ballot via the online portal govote.ky.gov or by contacting Martin County Clerk Susie Skyles.

“A voter who qualifies for a mail-in ballot and has any problem completing and submitting an application on the portal can call our office at 606-298-3508 for assistance,” Skyles said. “Anyone who doesn’t have internet access can call us for assistance.”

Voters who experience a medical emergency that would prevent them from voting in person after May 7 and through May 21 can still request an absentee ballot with a notarized application to the clerk.

Skyles said mail-in absentee ballots must be received by 6 p.m. on Election Day, May 21 to be counted.

“You can drop them in the mail or the dropbox outside the clerk’s office in the Martin County Government Center,” she stated. “I’m urging everyone not to wait until Election Day to bring in their absentee ballot. With this being a presidential primary, it is a good idea to cast your ballot as soon as you can and avoid a potential crowd.”

Other than a paper mail-in absentee ballot, Skyles said, there are three ways for voters to cast their ballots:

• Excused In-person Absentee Voting
• In-person No Excuse Absentee Voting
• In-person on Election Day, May 21.

In-person, excused absentee voting will take place May 8, 9, 10 and May 13, 14, 15, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., in Skyles’ office.

Early in-person, no excuse absentee voting will take place Thursday, May 16, Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., in Skyles’ office.

In-person voting on Election Day, May 21, will take place from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at five locations in Martin County:

• Eden Elementary School
• Inez Elementary School
• Martin County Government Center
• Martin County Middle School
• Pigeon Roost Community Center.

“A voter can choose to vote at any one of the voting centers,” said Skyles.

The Republican primary includes six candidates for President of the United States. Here is the list as they appear on the ballot:

• Ryan L. Binkley
• Vivek Ramaswamy
• Ron DeSantis
• Donald J. Trump
• Chris Christie
• Nikki R. Haley
• “Uncommitted”

Republicans will also choose a United States Representative in Congress for the 5th Congressional District from four candidates:

• Dana Edwards
• Hal Rogers
• Brandon Monhollen
• David E. Kraftchak Jr.

The Democratic primary election includes four candidates for President of the United States:

• Joseph R. Biden Jr.
• Marianne Williamson
• Dean Phillips
• “Uncommitted”

The Democratic Party has no candidate for Congress.