Secretary Of State Trey Grayson Wants You To Know

In a conference call last week Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson made it clear to bloggers that his office is dedicated to helping Kentuckians vote on Tuesday with as much information as possible.

Toward that end he has established a special web site "Vote.ky.gov"   "This is a voter information center.", Trey said.  "It includes lots of information voters need for election day including a source for them to find their polling place and is also a place for voters to report problems too."

Trey also took time to discuss potential problems in Kentucky this year.

"Our biggest concerns this year is long lines", he said.  "We are expecting a record turnout.  As in past years I encourage voters should take advantage of early voting by absentee ballot or the early voting machine in their county if they qualify because they will be absent on election day."

When asked if ACORN was involved in Kentucky this year and if this was a concern regarding voter problems he said no.  "Kentucky operates on an ID system.  Voters either have to be known to the poll workers or show a government issued ID at the polling place.  In some instances they may use a credit card, a utility bill or a college ID."

Trey said he wanted to remind voters against electioneering within a polling place.  "Small lapel pins on a voter do not violate the rules, but any discussion or signs or literature within the polling place are not allowed."

Trey also cautioned about a YouTube project which encourages people to submit videos of their voting experience. "In Kentucky this kind of recording within the polling place is prohibited.  This is particularly a concern with all of the camera phones out there.  If people want to video for YouTube they must not do so within the 300 foot electioneering zone."

For voters who may have moved but not changed their registration Trey reminded them that they can only vote within the county they are registered.  If they have moved between counties, they cannot vote over county lines.

As reported here earlier Trey's acknowledgment of the growing reach of the "New Media" including blogs like this one shows that he is a very smart guy, but in this instance it also shows his true concern for an open, accurate and fair election.

For more information don't forget to check Vote.Ky.Gov.  It's a great site which addresses the needs of voters, answers questions and even delves into the always troublesome area of dispelling election rumors.