Primary Election

With the May primary set for Tuesday, area election officials are largely in agreement with statewide predictions of one of the lowest turnouts in over a decade. Secretary of State Elaine Walker, who is in one of the few primary battles herself against fellow Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes, said Tuesday the turnout could be only 10 percent of registered voters, a level of voter apathy not seen since 1999. Most local county clerks say a dearth of absentee ballots appears to bear those numbers out. “I think we will be lucky to get 10 (percent)

If early absent ee voting is any indication, interest in this year’s primary election may be at an all time low. Each year, machines are set up at the Clark County Courthouse a couple of weeks before the election to allow people who can’t get out on Election Day to vote early.  But with only a week to go until the election, fewer than 10 people have voted on the machines, and according to County Clerk Anita Jones, very few mail-in absentee ballots have been cast.

The information listed below is compiled from campaign materials from the Republican candidates. Governor and Lieutenant Governor tickets Governor: Phil Moffett Lieutenant Governor: Mike Harmon Phil Moffett of Louisville is running as a Tea Party, Republican candidate. He works in the private business sector, and this race is his first attempt at public office. Moffett graduated from the University of Kentucky and is the founder and managing partner of CSS Partners, a telecommunications management firm in Louisville.

It got much closer than many expected but in the end not close enough. Everything that needed to happen seemed to fall into place for gubernatorial hopeful Phil Moffett and his running mate, state Rep. Mike Harmon of Boyle County, to have a big upset in the Republican primary Tuesday. In the end, though, low turnout and what appeared to be a sizable response from the Tea Party movement that swept a number of state and federal officials into office last fall were not quite enough.

In 12 days, thousands of Jessamine Countians will head to the polls for what promises to be an eventful primary election. To help its readers make an informed decision, The Jessamine Journal is proud to present a primary election special section. Several months back, the Journal mailed out a questionnaire asking each candidate to fill out and return. Of the 75 questionnaires mailed, 63 were returned. Every election is important. This primary election features 69 local participants, which is a mind-boggling number.

FRANKFORT - If residents want to change their party registration in time to participate in primary elections, they must do so by Dec. 31; otherwise, they might miss out on their chance. Kentucky state law requires any citizen who wishes to change his/her voter registration and also vote in the upcoming primary elections must be registered with his/her new party by Dec. 31 of the preceding year. The deadline also affects candidates who wish to switch political party affiliation and run in their new party's primary election.

The deadline for candidates for Danville City Commission to file for election is Jan. 29. Boyle County Clerk Denise Curtsinger said that, as of Monday, no one has filed for the four commission seats, which carry two-year terms. If more than eight candidates file for the race, their names will be on the ballot for the May 20 primary election, Curtsinger said. If eight or less file, the election will wait until November.

Dear Editor, It's hard to understand why more than 100,000 people voted for Ernie Fletcher in the last primary election. If Christians do not get to vote yes or no to casino gambling in Kentucky, and if Steve Beshear makes it his number one agenda in his bid for the governorship of Kentucky, then I suppose all Christians who oppose the evils of gambling will vote for Ernie Fletcher as governor next November. Those who are against an expansion of casino gambling have very little choice but to vote for Gov. Ernie Fletcher.

Janet Hamner and Kevin Caudill have filed to regain their seats on the Danville City Commission. Hamner and Caudill join fellow incumbent Gail Louis as official candidates in the race, which will elect four commissioners to serve two-year terms. Deadline to file for the non-partisan election is Tuesday. If more than eight candidates file, the race will be on the ballot in the May primary election. If eight or fewer people sign up, the election will be decided in November.

Dear Editor, I appreciate the voters and the support I received in the primary election. However, I in no way condone or support the theft of my opponent's signs on election eve. I have and plan to continue running a positive campaign based on my experience and understanding of the important issues that will shape the future of Danville. I would ask that whoever was involved please return the signs and refrain from this type of activity in the future. Jamey Gay Danville