Less than 15 percent voter turnout expected in Whitley County

Whitley County Clerk Kay Schwartz isn’t anticipating a large voter turnout for next Tuesday’s election. While she would like to see a 50 percent voter turnout, Schwartz noted that she is expecting the turnout to be less than 15 percent.

As of Monday morning, fewer than 50 people total had voted via absentee ballot voting machines at Schwartz’s offices in Corbin and Williamsburg.

In addition, there haven’t been many calls of interest to the clerk’s office concerning the election either.

“That is unusual in a governor’s race at this point,” Schwartz noted.

She thinks part of the reason for the low interest is the fact that there are no local races on the ballot.

By contrast, Schwartz is expecting a big voter turnout in November possibly in the range of 25 – 30 percent.

The biggest race on the May ballot will be for governor.

On the Republican ticket, incumbent Gov. Matt Bevin is facing challengers, Robert Goforth, William Woods and Ike Lawrence. On the Democratic ticket, current Attorney General Andy Beshear is running against former state auditor Adam Edelen, long time legislator and current Minority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins, and Geoffrey Young.

Former Attorney General Greg Stumbo is unopposed for the Democratic nomination for attorney general, and will face either Republican Daniel Cameron or Will Schroder in the November General Election.

Andrew English, Carl Nett, Michael G. Adams and Stephen Knipper are all vying for the Republican nomination for secretary of state. Former Miss America Heather French Henry, Geoff Sebesta, Jason Griffith and Jason S. Belcher are all vying for the Democratic nomination for secretary of state.

Incumbent Auditor Mike Harmon is unchallenged for the Republican nomination, and he will face Chris Tobe, Drew Curtis, Kelsey Hayes Coots or Sheri Donahue, who are all seeking the Democratic nomination.

Incumbent Republican Treasurer Allison Ball is unchallenged for the Republican nomination, and will face either Josh Mers or Michael Bowman, who are both seeking the Democratic nomination.

In the agriculture commissioner’s race, incumbent Ryan F. Quarles is facing a challenge from Bill Polyniak for the Republican nomination. The winner will face either Democrat Joe Trigg or Robert Haley Conway.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Tuesday.