‘A qualified success.’ Let’s continue what worked in Tuesday’s primary and fix what didn’t

Amidst cries of voter suppression and concerns about the potential of massive lines at the polls, the reality on the ground on Tuesday was pretty good. Not perfect. Not ideal. But overall, the election was a qualified success.

That conclusion is not to minimize the concern about voters in Louisville being shut out at the poll closing time and banging on the doors to be let in; those voters were allowed to vote after a state judge issued a last minute injunction to keep the polls open until 6:30. It doesn’t excuse two-hour wait times in Lexington. It doesn’t forgive the fact that some voters probably did not show up because of the hassle of traveling a far distance to reach the one polling place in their county.

But we should also recognize the good news out of this election: no excuse absentee balloting improves turnout. So does early voting. Lines in most places were short. When we make it easier to participate, more people show up.