Associated Press: 1 city, 1 voting place: Kentucky braces for lines in primary

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — With only one polling place designated for Louisville on Tuesday, voters who didn’t cast mail-in ballots or show up early could face long lines in Kentucky’s primary election, the latest to unfold in a pandemic that has triggered unprecedented election disruptions across the country.

The outcome of a competitive Democratic U.S. Senate primary could hang in the balance if Election Day turnout is hampered in Louisville — the hometown of Charles Booker, who has mounted a strong late challenge against presumed frontrunner Amy McGrath. …

Kentucky turned to widespread mail-in absentee voting in an agreement between the state’s Democratic governor and Adams in response to the coronavirus outbreak. But many voters not requesting absentee ballots will head to the polls Tuesday. The state’s primary is typically in late May but was delayed. …

In Louisville, a city of 600,000, the only in-person voting place on Election Day is at the state fairgrounds. Despite waves of mail-in voting, some were bracing for long lines and frustration. …

In Lexington, the state’s second-largest city, the voting location is at the University of Kentucky’s football stadium. …

Richard Beliles, Common Cause Kentucky board chairman, said offering “so few polling places for the primary is irresponsible and unacceptable, and sadly it was avoidable.”