Kenton County voters can cast ballots without an excuse Thursday, Oct. 29, through Saturday, Oct. 31, ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Early voting runs Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 31, according to a Kentucky Today report carried by the NKY Tribune. Locations and hours vary by county. Voters can check the Kenton County Clerk's office or the Kentucky Secretary of State's website at govoteky for polling places and sample ballots.

The ballot is long. Statewide, it includes the U.S. Senate race, all six Kentucky congressional seats, all 100 state House seats, even-numbered state Senate districts, district judge races and local city and county contests.

"We have a long ballot this year with lots of races at the federal, state and local levels," Fayette County Clerk Susan Lamb said in the Kentucky Today report. "Reviewing your sample ballot before you head to the polls will save you and everyone time in line."

What Kenton County voters will see

The highest-profile race is the open U.S. Senate seat. Sen. Mitch McConnell, a Republican, is not seeking re-election. Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Barr and former Democratic state Rep. Charles Booker are the major-party candidates. Kentucky Party candidate Christopher Campbell and write-in candidate Thomas Michael Murphy are also running, according to LINK nky's election coverage.

Locally, Kenton County voters will see contested state legislative races. Senate District 24 features Republican incumbent Shelley Funke Frommeyer against Democrat Joshua Baker. In House District 64, Republican incumbent Kim Moser faces Democrat William Whalen. House District 65 pits Republican incumbent Stephanie Dietz against Democrat Aaron Currin, according to LINK nky.

Additional local races, including city council and school board contests, may also appear on ballots depending on the voter's precinct.

Constitutional amendment on pardons

Every Kentucky voter will also see Amendment 1, a proposed change to the state constitution. It would block governors from issuing pardons or commuting sentences during the period starting 60 days before a gubernatorial election.

State Sen. Chris McDaniel, a Republican from Ryland Heights who carried the legislation, told Spectrum News 1 the proposal stems from hundreds of pardons former Gov. Matt Bevin issued at the end of his term in 2019. Some of those pardons covered people convicted of severe crimes, including murder and sexual assault, according to WDRB.

Gov. Andy Beshear has pushed back. He told WDRB on Oct. 22 that while Bevin abused the pardon power, the answer is not changing the constitution based on one person's actions.

A "yes" vote supports limiting when the governor can pardon. A "no" vote opposes changing the constitution, according to Spectrum News 1.

What to bring

Kentucky voters must present a valid photo ID. Acceptable forms include a Kentucky driver's license, a government-issued ID, a U.S. college or university student ID, or military identification, according to LINK nky's voter FAQ.

Voters who want to look up their polling place or review a sample ballot can visit the Kentucky Voter Information Center or contact the Kenton County Clerk's office. Polls open on Election Day, Nov. 3.