A bill aimed at boosting voter turnout in Kentucky by allowing early voting without an excuse has been passed by the state House despite some lawmakers’ concerns about strapping county clerks with extra costs.
The measure cleared the House on a 57-37 vote Monday. It now goes to the Senate, where it could face an uphill fight. Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes is a leading supporter of the bill.
The legislation would allow early voting by any Kentucky registered voter at least 12 working days leading up to the Sunday before Election Day. The early voting period would include two Saturdays.
Grimes has said the majority of counties now offer absentee voting on Saturday.
The bill’s opponents said expanded early voting would be a burden for county clerks with small staffs.
