Melodie Phelps, News Editor
CNHI
5-12-10 — A light to moderate voter turnout is expected for next Tuesday's
primary, if absentee voting is any indication. As of last week,
approximately 30 people had utilized the absentee voting machine and the
request for paper absentee ballots has been down as well, according to Wayne
County Clerk Josephine Gregory.
It's definitely been quieter leading up to this primary election than it
has been for any election year that included local races. Gregory said it
would be hard to predict the exact percentage of local voter turnout at this
point, but there are a couple of countywide races, including the republican
race for County Judge-Executive and County Clerk, that should generate quite
a bit of interest at the polls.
At the top of the local slate, republican candidates Ken Upchurch and
Jerry Sloan will be vying for their party's nomination for County
Judge-Executive. Republicans Sheridan Wright and Janie Turner are running
for their party's nomination for Wayne County Clerk.
And there are several magisterial races in the county that could also
generate some interest. In District Two there are nine candidates running on
the republican side of the ticket. There are three on the democratic side of
the slate. The republican race for District Three Magistrate has also been
one that has stirred voter interest.
Voters will also make decisions in the primary race for Wayne County
Sheriff, Wayne County Jailer and in all four constables' races. There are
three candidates running for District Judge, Division One, and the top two
vote getters in that race will run against each other in the fall.
Also on the ballot next week is the race for U.S. Senate. The seat,
which is currently held by retiring Senator Jim Bunning, has drawn quite a
few candidates and both the republican and democratic races have been
heated.
Gregory noted that while many Kentucky counties have changed to new
machine, which use paper ballots, Wayne County will use the same machines
from the past several elections. She also noted that there are no precinct
changes for this election. Polls will open at 6 a.m. and will close at 6
p.m. Any voters who are in line at 6 p.m., when the polls close, will be
allowed to vote.
Gregory stated that any voter who has moved needs to go to their new
precinct to vote. A precinct worker will contact the clerk's office to make
the sure the person can vote and that they are at the right precinct. She
also added that on Tuesday, May 18 only election related business will be
handled in her office.
The absentee machine will remain open in the clerk's office through the
close of business on Monday, May 17. Anyone who will be out of town on
primary election day may use the machine to vote before then. The deadline
for applications for traditional paper ballots have already passed, but
anyone who has received a paper ballot must return them by Tuesday, May 18.
Anyone with questions regarding the primary election should contact
Gregory's office at (606) 348-6661.