Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams says state election officials are prepared for today’s Primary Election, but he says the biggest challenge may simply be getting both voters and poll workers back into election mode after a lengthy gap between statewide elections.
Speaking ahead of Election Day, Adams said that training and retraining poll workers have been among the top priorities for his office and local election officials across the state.
click to download audioDespite those concerns, Adams said Kentucky’s early voting period has gone smoothly with very few reported issues statewide.
Adams noted that early voting — which expanded significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic — has become a regular part of Kentucky elections and continues to gain acceptance among voters.
Adams said declining voter registration totals in some counties across western Kentucky reflect aggressive cleanup efforts within Kentucky’s voter rolls over the past several years.
click to download audioThose removals included voters who had moved out of state, died, gone to prison, or registered elsewhere.
Adams also said his office is closely monitoring for potential election fraud, particularly in smaller local races where low turnout can make outcomes easier to influence.
click to download audioAdams said his office will cooperate with the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, Kentucky State Police, the FBI, postal inspectors, and other agencies to investigate the complaints.
While a 20% primary turnout is expected to be the norm, he said, Republican turnout in Caldwell County had more than doubled the state’s turnout rate.
click to download audioPolls across Kentucky will be open until 6 p.m. Adams encouraged voters to visit the state’s election website, govote.ky.gov, to verify polling locations and hours before heading to the polls.
