Kentucky primary looms: Choices abound in area match-ups

By BARBARA GOLDMAN, Staff Writer

Friday, May 16, 2008 9:09 PM EDT

-- President of the United States, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Barack Obama, uncommitted

-- United States Senator, Bruce Lunsford, James E. Rice, Kenneth Stepp, David L. Williams, David Wylie, Michael Cassaro, Greg Fischer, Andrew Horne.

Mason County Clerk Frances Cotterill is reminding all voters to bring an ID to the pollds and have it out and ready when voting.

"This helps the election offers and helps things go more quickly," said Cotterill.

Cotterill also said Kentucky voters should remember that this is a closed primary, which means voters may only vote for candidates in the party for which they are registered.

Voters are also reminded to allow themselves enough time to vote.

Voting statistics and information for local counties includes:

Bracken County

-- Currently has 5,996 registered voters, 4,762 Democrats and 1,019 Republicans. That includes 2,958 males and 3,038 females. Bracken County has seen no change since 2007 elections in the number of registered voters. However, in 2007 there was an 18.1 percent turnout for the election. There are no local elections on the ballot.

-- Voters will cast their votes at one of the eight precincts and the opportunity to cast there vote on one of ten electronic 1242 voting machines or eleven Hart InterCivic eSlate machines.

Fleming County

-- Currently has 10,077 registered voters, with 7,127 Democrats and 2,582 Republicans. That includes 4,873 males and 5,204 females. In 2007, Fleming County had 9,862 registered voters, with a 21.5 percent turnout for the election. There are no local elections on the ballot.

Voters will cast their votes at one of 18 precincts and the opportunity to cast their vote on one of 21 electronic 1242 voting machines or 19 Hart InterCivic eSlate machines.

Lewis County

-- Currently has 9,706 registered voters, 2,369 Democrats and 7,023 Republicans. That includes 4,821 males and 4,882 females. In 2007, Lewis County had 9,637 registered voters, with a 12.6 percent turnout for the election. There are no local elections on the ballot.

Voters will cast their votes at one of one of 14 precincts and the opportunity to cast their vote on one of 17 electronic 1242 voting machines or 15 Hart InterCivic eSlate machines.

Mason County

-- Currently has 11,891 registered voters, with 8,021 Democrats and 3,115 Republicans. That includes 5,543 males and 6,346 females. In 2007, Mason County had 11,632 registered voters and a 17.1 percent turnout. There are no local elections on the ballot.

Voters will cast their votes at one of 20 precincts and the opportunity to cast their vote on one of 24 electronic 1242 voting machines or 21 Hart InterCivic eSlate machines.

Robertson County

-- Currently has 1,679 registered voters, with 1,425 Democrats and 222 Republicans. That includes 835 males and 844 females. In 2007 Robertson County had 1,652 registered voters and a 20.8 percent turnout. There are no local elections on the ballot.

Voters will cast their votes at one of 5 precincts and he opportunity to cast their vote on one of seven electronic 1242 voting machines or six Hart InterCivic eSlate machines.

The Fourth Congressional District has 259,447 registered Democrats and 191,726 registered Republicans.

Secretary of State Trey Grayson, the chief elections officer of the commonwealth, is encouraging all registered voters to cast their ballots on Primary Election Day, and is encouraging citizens to prepare before doing so.

In addition, Grayson reminded voters that no Kentuckian should be prevented from voting in the upcoming election due to his or her work schedule, if he or she requests leave prior to the day in which he or she will cast his or her vote. The Kentucky Constitution provides that all employers shall allow employees, under reasonable regulations, at least four hours on election days, in which to cast their votes.

"It is my hope that every Kentuckian who is registered will exercise their right to vote on May 20th," Grayson said.

Kentuckians who will be working outside their county of residence on Election Day are eligible to vote by absentee ballot. Absentee voting on a voting machine is currently taking place in county clerks’ offices until close of business on Monday.

When voters head to the polls on Election Day, they will also be governed by electioneering laws that prohibits electioneering within 300 feet of the polling location. Bumper stickers on cars of voters at a polling location are an exception to the electioneering prohibition. Cars may not be left near polling locations all day with the intent of advocating for a particular candidate.

The Office of the Secretary of State and State Board of Elections have a number of on-line services which can help citizens prepare for the election. Voters can view and print sample ballots, determine their polling location, and find pertinent election information by visiting either agency’s Web site. Grayson encouraged citizens to visit the Voter Information Center to determine whether they are eligible to vote in this year’s primary election.

Citizens with general questions about the election are encouraged to visit the Office of the Secretary of State and State Board of Elections new Vote Kentucky! Web site at http://www.vote.ky.gov or contact their local county clerk.

Contact Barbara Goldman at barbara.goldman@lee.net or by calling 606-564-9091, ext. 274.