Fayette County Clerk Don Blevins is predicting a voter turnout just shy of 30% in the state’s second largest city for Tuesday’s Primary Election. His staff has been challenged in securing polling workers this spring.
Blevins says turnout for this type of Primary typically hovers around 27%. He admits there are some issues getting attention which could lead to more Fayette Countians exercising their right to vote.
“I don’t see anything that might impact that other than the movements we discussed earlier such as the ME-TOO movement might bring more women out and then the student led gun debate might bring more youth out,” said Blevins.
The county clerk in Lexington says he has enough poll workers for the Primary, but fewer than in past years serving as alternates. “For us, it’s hard to find people now. It sounds ridiculous, but the loss of landlines has really made it difficult to find people and contact them. You can’t just open up the phone book. The phone book really doesn’t work anymore,” Explained Blevins.
Blevins also says some people have cited the abrasiveness of politics as a reason not to work at a precinct.
