'It's time to turn up the heat.'

By BERRY CRAIG

AFT Local 1360

"Debates don't win elections," warns a recent fundraising email from the Kamala Harris-Tim Walz campaign. 

Murray State University historian Brian Clardy gets it. So does the Kentucky Democratic Party.

"We're euphoric about the fact that she did so well in the debate," Clardy said. "But we can't get overconfident. Kamala Harris knows she hasn't got it in the bag. Tim Walz does, too.

Warns the KDP's online Chronicle newsletter: With under 60 days until November 5, and even less time before early voting starts in Kentucky, we must act swiftly to communicate our message to voters." The party urges Democrats, from county officers to rank-and-filers, "to collaborate with your local candidates to organize action days focused on canvassing, phone banking, or fundraising for their campaigns."

Clardy, a member of the Calloway County Democratic Executive Committee and a veteran of Democratic National Conventions, challenged fellow Democrats from Jordan to Jenkins to "vote, vote, vote. Take advantage of early voting; vote by mail. Volunteer to take people to the polls. Share things on social media that's truthful. Volunteer for campaigns and give money."

Like his fellow Democrats and other supporters of the Harris-Walz ticket, Clardy was ecstatic over Harris drubbing  Donald Trump in what evidently will be their only debate. "The party is over; the hangover has come," Clardy said. "It's time to turn up the heat." 

Here's what voters need to know between now and election day, Nov. 5 (From the Kentucky secretary of state's office): 

Saturday 9/21 Online mail-in absentee request portal to open (45 days before the election).

Monday 10/7 Last day to register to vote for the general election.  (Click here to make sure you are registered to vote.) 

Tuesday 10/22 11:59 PM  Online mail-in absentee request portal to close (14 days before the election).

Tuesday 10/22 - Tuesday 11/5 Voter or their legally authorized agent may submit a notarized paper application for an absentee ballot because of a medical emergency (within 14 days or less of an election).

Tuesday 10/29 Last day to apply for a military-overseas ballot (not later than close of business 7 days before primary). Applications, including the declaration accompanying a federal write-in absentee ballot, must be received by this day. An application for a military-overseas ballot for a primary, whether or not timely, is effective as an application for a military-overseas ballot for the regular election

Thursday 10/31 - Saturday 11/2 In-person absentee voting to be conducted in the county clerk's office or other place designated by the county board of elections and approved by the State Board of Elections.

Tuesday 11/5 • General Election Day (first Tuesday after first Monday in November). • Polls open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., prevailing time....Mail-in absentee ballots must be received by clerk before 6 p.m., prevailing time.