Kentucky’s Primary Election in 2020 will be like none other in memory. First, the presidential primary was moved back a month. There has also been a strong emphasis on mail-in voting for the June 23rd election.
Al Cross, director of the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, says he’s not sure there’s ever been an election with such unprecedented turmoil. “We have a pandemic. We have a recession. We have a worldwide protest movement. And this comes on top of political polarization, so it is a very different time,” said Cross.
Asked how much voters are paying attention to political races during a time of a pandemic and widespread protests, Cross said he’s not sure. But, he does expect a much larger voter response because of the increased ease of voting through the mail-in option.
Cross noted the focus on mail-in voting is understandable, given concerns given to COVID-19. But, the former long-time political columnist doesn’t expect mail-in voting to become commonplace in Kentucky. Cross said the November Election remains a question mark in terms of process, depending upon the status of the disease.
Here's more with Al Cross, director of the Institute of Rural Journalism and Community Issues:
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