County Clerks weigh in on election turnout

Across the Commonwealth, secretary of state Michael Adams says voter turnout will be similar to last year's at 42%.

Lexington, Ky (WTVQ):  Bourbon and Fayette counties are reporting a strong turnout for this year’s election thus far.

Susan Lamb, the Fayette County Clerk, says “the early voting has been fantastic. I almost doubled the number of voters from the 2022 general election.”

Lamb says this year they had around 16,000 voters make their way out. “We added the three other locations so we had four locations total.” She predicts an overall bigger turnout this year.

Cynthia Santana Wilson, the Bourbon County Clerk, says “everybody seems to be trusting the process a little more. They enjoy the shorter times, the shorter wait times.”

According to Wilson, Bourbon County last year only had about 16% turnout for the entire election. She says this year, they’re at 12% for early voting only. On Tuesday for election day, “we’re thinking were going to get at least 45% of turnout. So, probably another 30% to come out,” Wilson said.

Both clerks attribute some of the turnout due to the national interest of the Governor’s race.  “We have 125 voting locations 286 precincts,” she said. “I hope that each precinct gets lots of love.”

Voting hours are from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., but “if you’re in line at 6 p.m. inside the building, you can still vote tomorrow even after 6 p.m.,” Lamb said.

Across the Commonwealth, Secretary of State Michael Adams says voter turnout will be similar to last year’s at 42%.