Voters in Kentucky would have up to a month to cast ballots under a plan suggested by Secretary of State Trey Grayson.
Grayson's early voting plan would allow voters to use absentee ballots even if they are going to be in their home county on Election Day.
Under present law, absentee ballots can be cast only by voters who have a legitimate excuse for not being able to make it to their polling places, such as traveling on business or being on vacation.
Grayson said no-excuse absentee voting could increase turnout by giving people more opportunities to vote and reducing lines on Election Day.
Across Kentucky, there were more than 4,000 races this year, including 247 judicial races, six congressional bouts and 52 legislative contests. Following the election, some lawmakers complained of delays at the ballot box and in tabulating the results.
"The biggest advantage is that people would be able to schedule when they vote," said Grayson, a Boone County Republican who kicked off his re-election campaign this week.
"It can be hard for some people who want to vote to find time to get to the polls on Election Day," he said. "A lot of hospital workers, for instance, start work at 7 a.m.
Since the polls open at 6 a.m., that only gives them an hour to vote before going to work. This plan provides more flexibility."
A new law went into effect last month in Ohio that allows anyone to use absentee ballots.
Absentee voting increased 15 percent, according to an analysis by the Columbus Dispatch.
Thirty-one states allow early voting.
"It's a trend that is growing in popularity," Grayson said.
In late November, Grayson testified to a legislative panel about the plan. The legislature could take up the issue in the 2007 session.
Campbell County Clerk Jack Snodgrass said he is all for giving people more opportunities to vote.
But, Snodgrass pointed out, it took election officials in Ohio up to a month to count all the ballots in some races.
And, he said, keeping absentee voting open for a month would be more costly.
"If (the legislature) passes this, I hope it's not just an unfunded mandate," Snodgrass said.
"I hope they provide the funding because it could be a strain, especially on the smaller counties."