Helena Birdwell, Barren County clerk, extends a basket with various numbers inside for candidates to draw to determine their placement on the primary election ballot. The ballot draw was held Jan. 27, 2022, inside the Barren Fiscal Courtroom.
GLASGOW — Election Day in Kentucky is one week away. Here’s what you should you know about this year’s primary election in Barren County.
Major changes in this year’s primary election in the county include the use of four voting centers instead of 26 precincts; countywide races are limited to either Democratic or Republican candidates; and early voting procedures will be in place for three days.
Why are some candidates’ names absent from the primary ballot?
A primary election’s purpose is to allow voters of a particular party to indicate their party’s preference for their party’s candidate. Voters must vote according to their registered party. Republicans may only vote for Republicans. Democrats may only vote for Democrats.
Parties not including Democrats and Republicans may still vote only if their party has more than one candidate vying for that party’s nomination. Independents could vote in a primary election if an Independent candidate faced another Independent candidate, for example.
Barren County voters will either vote for Republican or Democratic candidates during the May primary. There are no other parties with a primary race.
Democratic leanings dominated the county for most of the county’s history until it shifted toward GOP votership about three years ago. County officials speculate this year’s primary election could be the first to include countywide races only for Republican candidates.
Democratic candidates not on the primary ballot include offices for sheriff, jailer, county clerk and property valuation administrator.
Kent Keen is the lone Democratic candidate for county sheriff and will only appear on the General Election ballot in November, for example. He will face the winner of the May primary sheriff’s election, which includes three Republican candidates.
The county attorney’s race is similar. The race features incumbent Kathryn Thomas (D) and Mike Richardson (R). No other candidates in either party filed for that office.
Some races are uncontested, which means one candidate filed to run for the office, and will not appear on the ballot either. Offices with one candidate include coroner, county clerk, PVA and surveyor.
Where do I vote?
Elections across the nation changed in response to the pandemic and voters’ health concerns. Kentucky postponed its primary election in 2020. Barren County shifted its location to cast ballots that year, too. Some of those procedures remain.
Voters in Barren County will have four locations available to cast their ballots on May 17.
- Barren County High School’s gymnasium
- Cave City Convention Center
- Austin Tracy Volunteer Fire Department
- Haywood Volunteer Fire Department.
The county formerly had 26 precincts and voters were required to submit ballots at specified locations. Those procedures are no longer in effect.
Residents of Temple Hill, for example, could vote in Cave City if they wish. All ballot faces will be available at any of the four voting centers.
Some offices are limited to certain geographic location. Magistrate and constable candidates will only receive votes from voters living in the district they are running for. That matter will not change even if voters decide to vote in another location.
Click here to find out in which magisterial and constable district you reside. You can also type your address into the map and it will locate in which district you reside. Click on the district to see what candidates are running in that respective district. Pins on the map represent voting center locations.
(MAP CREATED IN PART BY BITS)
What about “early voting”?
Voters in Barren County can vote before Election Day.
“Early excused voting” runs through Wednesday, May 11 at the clerk’s office. This voting method is available to voters who have a permissible excuse to vote early. The clerk’s office said 28 voters had submitted ballots during the “early excused voting” as of 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
“Early no-excuse voting” begins Thursday, May 12, and runs through Saturday, May 14. Voters will be able to submit ballots at the Barren County Extension Office from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Procedures will be no different than Election Day. Voters will check in with a form of identification and be given an appropriate ballot. There is no need to provide an excuse for this voting.
What about absentee votes?
The Barren County Clerk’s office received 191 requests for absentee ballots, which are those sent to voters’ homes. While most voters could request a mail-in ballot during the height of the pandemic two years ago, the state returned this year to its former requirements for obtaining one of those ballots.
Those ballots will be counted and factored into the total votes received after polls close on Election Day.
What should I bring to vote?
State law requires voters present a valid proof of identification at every polling location before voting. Click here to read more information about what constitutes a valid proof of ID.
What if I still have questions?
Questions may be directed to the Barren County Clerk’s office at (270) 651-3783.