The November General Election is now just days away, and with the race of U.S. President expected to be a toss-up, many hot-topic controversial issues on the ballot, and some local races on tap, a much heavier than usual turnout at the polls–both in early voting and on election day, is expected, not only in Clinton County, but around the state and nation.
Early voting in Clinton County begins this week at three locations for all precincts. Those locations are the Welcome Center, Clinton County Fairgrounds and South Kentucky RECC, all between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Election Day voting on Tuesday, November 5, will be at all of the aforementioned locations from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The featured race, as is the case every four years, is that of President of the United States, which pits current Vice-President Kamala Harris, the Democrat nominee, against former Republican President Donald J. Trump.
Harris’ and Trump’s VP nominees are Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and U.S. Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio, respectively.
The race for the nation’s highest position and future Commander in Chief has been long and bitter, with factions divided throughout. Polls show almost a dead-heat between the two candidates, prompting large amount of early voting taking place in all states across the country.
There will be four other names listed on the official ballot in Kentucky for President, a Kentucky Party candidate, two Independent candidates and a Libertarian Party candidate.
However, one of the independent candidates, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., withdrew months ago from the race.
In one additional federal race on the ballot, GOP incumbent U.S. First District Congressman James Comer is being opposed by Democrat Erin Marshall.
Two state races will be on the ballot with each Republican incumbent being unopposed.
State Senator (15th District) Rick Girdler of Somerset and 83rd District State Representative Josh Branscum of Jamestown will be returning to Frankfort.
Two local unopposed candidates are also on the ballot, both are Republicans. They are Clinton Circuit Clerk Jake Staton and 40th Judicial District Commonwealth Attorney Jesse Stockton, who serves Clinton, Cumberland and Monroe counties.
There are also some local races of interest that are expected to draw voters to the polls, including one race for a seat on the Clinton County Board of Education, where three people are seeking the seat.
School board elections are on a non-partisan basis.
In District 4 (school board), incumbent Gary Norris is being challenged by newcomer Vik Soma. Also, although not listed on the ballot, Josh Burchett has filed as a write-in candidate in the district that serves North, East, and West Albany precincts.
The school board race in District 2 has no candidates listed on the ballot. However, Andrew Tallent declared in late May as the only write-in candidate. That district serves the Seventy-Six and Neathery Cave Springs precincts.
Current District 2 board member Ronald Albertson opted not to seek reelection, citing health issues.
Leslie Stockton, current Board of Education Chairperson, is running unopposed in District 3, which includes the Highway, Illwill and Speck precincts.
Another important race which will likely attract city voters is that of Albany Mayor and all six Albany City Council member races. City races are also decided on a non-partisan basis.
The mayor’s race is a special election brought on by the resignation of former Mayor Steve Lawson one year into his term.
Current Mayor James Bray, who was appointed to the position to serve until the election, is running against former Mayor Lyle Pierce. The winner will serve out the two-year unexpired term left vacant by Lawson’s departure.
All six seats that make up the Albany City Council are up for grabs in 2024, with nine persons seeking one of the six positions.
Five incumbents are seeking reelection, including Junior Gregory, Randy Speck, Renee York, Tim Norris, and Reed Sloan. They are joined by four other candidates, including Harvey Tucker, Samuel Rains, James Eric Smith, and Donnie Flowers.
Current councilman Leland Hicks, who was appointed to fill Mayor Bray’s spot on the city council when Bray was chosen as mayor, is not seeking another term.
Lastly, as far as seats in local races are concerned, four Soil Conservation District Board of Director members filed for the May Primary, and with only four slots, those were seated with no other people seeking a board seat.
The SCD members who will make up the board include Michial Conner, Kathy Conner, Roger Beard and Greg Abston.
Other than the “candidates” on the ballot, it is the issues voters will make a choice about that will draw many voters to the polls with strong opinions and/or beliefs.
A local option race deciding on whether or not the legal sale of alcohol will be allowed in Clinton County is once again up to the voters to decide.
The question on the ballot simply asks, “Are you in favor of the sale of alcoholic beverages in Clinton County, Kentucky?”
Petitions have been put forth to have the vote put on the local ballot in the past, with one such petition not receiving enough signatures. Another time when the issue was put on the ballot, the measure was rejected.
Clinton County is one of only a handful of counties that does not allow the sale of alcohol in some form, with all other bordering counties allowing alcohol sales in some fashion.
A pair of state Constitutional Amendment questions, will also be on the ballot.
Amendment #1, asks the question, “Are you in favor of amending sections 145 and 155 of the Constitution of Kentucky to prohibit persons who are not citizens of the United States from being allowed to vote in the Commonwealth?”
The amendment question also states the sections of the constitution in which changes would be made.
Amendment #2 is the hottest topic statewide, and has been debated and extremely advertised over the past several months by politicians, educators and others.
That amendment question states “To give parents choices in educational opportunities for their children, are you in favor of enabling the General Assembly to provide financial support for the education costs of students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are outside the system of common (public) schools by amending the Constitution of Kentucky as stated…the General Assembly may provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools.”
Two other states, Nebraska and Colorado, have similar education choice questions on their state ballots this year.
Regardless of the advertising, poll numbers, and personal opinions expressed on social and news media over the past several months, all individual races will be decided by voters in a matter of days.
People are encouraged to go to the polls, either on early voting days or election day next Tuesday, November 5, and voice their own opinion in the voting booth on candidates and issues.