With no local races on the Primary Election ballot, Mason County Clerk Stephanie Schumacher does’t expect many registered voters to go to the polls Tuesday.
Turnout, she predicted will be in the 10 percent range, if absentee ballots are any indication. Those submitted have primarily been by pool workers, she said.
But low turnout or not, there will be an election Tuesday in Kentucky to select Republican and Democratic candidates for statewide races from governor to agriculture secretary to appear on the November General Election ballot.
Polls open in Kentucky at 6 a.m. and remain open until 6 p.m.
Topping the offices which will be decided is that of governor with current Republican Gov. Matt Bevin finding opposition in his own party from William E. Woods, Robert Goforth and Ike Lawrence.
Also on the Republican side, there are four contenders for secretary of state including Carl Nett, Michael G. Adams, Andrew English and Stephen L. Knipper.
Republicans vying for the office of attorney general include Wil Schroder and Daniel Cameron and for commissioner of agriculture, current commissioner Ryan G. Quarles and Bill Polyniak.
On the Democratic side of the ballot, there are four candidates for governor in Geoffrey Young, Rocky Adkins, Andy Beshear and Adam H. Edelen.
Former Miss America and local native Heather French Henry is seeking the secretary of state’s office, along with candidates Geoff Sebesta, Jason S. Belcher and Jason Griffith. There are also three Democratic challengers for auditor of public accounts including Chris Tobe, Kelsey Hayes Coots, and Sheri Donahus; two for state treasurer, Josh Mers and Michael Bowman; and two for commissioners of agriculture, Joe Trigg and Robert Conway.
For those who are planning to vote, Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes has issued a list of “Do’s and Don’ts” ahead of the Primary Election.
“Being prepared before going to the polls makes Election Day run smoothly for everyone. This is an important election with our constitutional officers on the ballot, so I encourage Kentucky voters to take note of these helpful tips,” said Grimes, Kentucky’s Chief Election Official.
— Do verify your voter registration status before you head to the polls. Registration status is available GoVoteKY.com, Kentucky’s one-stop voter portal.
— D0 know where you vote. You can find the address of and driving directions to your polling location through GoVoteKY.com.
— Do know the most convenient times to vote. Polls tend to be busiest during the morning and evening rush hours and at lunchtime.
— Do bring appropriate identification to your polling location. You must either be known by a precinct officer or produce a driver’s license, social security card, credit card, or other form of identification that contains both a picture and signature in order to cast a ballot.
— Don’t wait until the last minute to head to the polls or be discouraged by long lines. Remember, as long as you are in line by 6 p.m. local time on May 21, you will be allowed to cast your ballot.
— Don’t record the identity of other voters in the voting room, including through the use of cameras and cell phones.
— Do ask a poll worker for instructions on how to use the voting machine or other procedural questions if you are confused about the voting process.
— Do let officials know immediately if you encounter any problems at the polls. You can address issues with your precinct election officers, your county clerk, the State Board of Elections at 502-573-7100, or the Attorney General’s Election Fraud Hotline at 1-800-328-VOTE.
— Don’t forget to thank your poll workers. It takes 15,000 to run an election, and the process would not be possible without them. They deserve our appreciation.
— Do remind your friends and family to vote. Our democratic society is at its best when all eligible voters participate in elections.
— Don’t forget that you can check unofficial election results by visiting GoVoteKY.com.
