First day early voting exceeds previous turnout numbers in Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) – Kentuckians are clearly excited about this year's political races and ballot measures. More than 225,000 people showed up to vote in person on Thursday, the first day of no-excuse in-person voting.

To put this number in perspective, let's look at numbers from previous years provided by Secretary of State Michael Adams' office.

In 2020, the pandemic year that led to continued early voting, 57,154 people voted on the first day, Adams said. In 2022, the number jumped to 81,961 first-time voters. Thursday's total represents a more than 100% increase from last year.

“We were just joking that there might not be anyone left to vote on Tuesday because everyone is out here early,” joked voter Morgan Amsler after casting his vote at the Marksbury Public Library branch Friday morning.

Secretary Adams knows that won't be the case on Election Day, but he is urging voters to take advantage of the first few days on Thursday, Friday and Saturday after his office saw a massive increase in early excused voting last week.

Kentuckians clearly got the message, as lines on Friday were just as long, if not longer, than Thursday at many Central Kentucky locations.

Some community members said they waited about 45 minutes. Others said they waited in line for up to two hours, but no one seemed upset.

“The top part of the ticket is what got me out, but it was also the constitutional amendments,” Amsler said.

School choice is a hot topic across the Commonwealth.

“Amendment 2. That was a big issue for me this year,” said Jonathan Scott, whose mother worked as a poll worker years ago.

For most people, however, it's about the upper limit.

“I think women have the right to do whatever they want with their own bodies and they don't need anyone telling them, like they aren't smart enough to figure it out themselves,” said Nancy Marshall.

“To me, it means saving our democracy,” Mary Knight said, before alluding to her interest in the city parks measure because she and her husband are frequent park users.

Early voting continues Saturday, and then Election Day on Tuesday, November 5th will be the last opportunity for everyone.

Click here to see a list of Saturday early voting locations and times in your county: Polling Places – State Board of Elections