Final preparations are being made for Primary Election Day 2023 across Kentucky. In Fayette County, it’s been a brand-new experience for the county clerk.
Susan Lamb spent decades at Lexington City Hall, first as city council clerk and then as a Fourth District Council Representative. Earlier this year, she moved not even half a block away to head the office responsible for putting on elections.
Early voting occurred last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at UK’s Kroger Field facility. Lamb hopes a video of early voting could help clear the way for voting centers on Election Day someday.
“I think that by having a video and then we’ll narrate the video to show people what we’re talking about, about a voting center. And so people could see the benefit,” said Lamb.
If the decision is made to shift from a precinct to a voting center format, Lamb said that likely wouldn’t occur until after the presidential election in 2024.
Primary Election ballots usually set the stage for a final outcome in November. But, that’s not entirely the case in some central Kentucky counties. A special election to fill the 28th state senatorial seat is a part of the ballot Tuesday. And Susan Lamb said that creates a unique situation for 17-year-olds, about ready to become 18.
“If you are going to be 18 years old before the General Election, you can vote in the Primary. However, that’s not the case for this special election because it’s a deciding election. If you’re 17 can’t vote for that special election,” said Lamb.
The 28th senatorial district seat was held by Winchester doctor Ralph Alvarado who came to Frankfort in 2014. He left his position in the Kentucky Senate in January to head Tennessee’s state health department. Thirty-three precincts in Fayette County will include the special election ballot. The three candidates are Greg Elkins of the Republican Party, Robert Sainte of the Democratic Party, and Independent Richard Henderson.
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