Team coverage of the 2024 campaign

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – After much anticipation, polls have opened for traditional voting for the 2024 election.

This year, polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m

A complete list of locations, sorted by county, can be found on the Board of Elections website.

Voters must remember to bring their photo ID as it is required to vote. Your Kentucky driver's license, military ID, college ID, or government ID will be accepted.

Also remember that there is a four-minute time limit for voting once you are in the booth.

To avoid delays, voters are encouraged to view their county's sample ballot before casting their vote. A complete list of sample ballots can be found here.

People can also report suspected voter fraud through the Kentucky Election Integrity Command Center hotline.

“We want to show Kentuckians that we take voter fraud seriously. We take election integrity seriously. It is important to everyone sworn and unsworn in this room and in Kentucky's law enforcement agencies that we ensure a free, fair and, we believe, safe election here in our Commonwealth,” said Attorney General Russell Coleman (R).

Calls can be made to 800-328-8683 or 800-328-VOTE. Online complaints can be submitted here.

CHANGES, 2024 HEADLINE DECISION ON MEDICAL CANNABIS

The biggest issues in this year's election in Kentucky include two proposed amendments to the state constitution.

CHANGE 1

Amendment 1 would add language to the state constitution stating that people who are not U.S. citizens cannot vote in Kentucky elections.

Supporters say the amendment clarifies vague language, while opponents argue the problem doesn't exist.

A “yes” vote on Amendment 1 will add the wording. In the event of a “no” vote, things will remain as they currently are.

MORE ON AMENDMENT 1:

• Breakdown of Amendment 1 on the Kentucky ballot
• A deeper look into Ky. Constitutional Amendment 1

CHANGE 2

Amendment 2 would allow Kentucky lawmakers to use tax dollars to fund private and charter schools.

It does not say how these funds would be distributed. That would be decided by the legislature.

Proponents argue that it allows parents to make more decisions about their children's education.

Opponents fear it would harm the public education system and harm already struggling schools.

MORE ON AMENDMENT 2:

Eleven Kentucky counties will also have the opportunity to vote on whether or not to opt out of the state's medical cannabis program.

It will be on the ballot in 11 counties, including counties in the WKYT viewing area: Scott, Bourbon, Clark and Woodford.

Some cities, like Georgetown, also let voters decide what should happen within their borders.

MORE: Kentucky voters will decide where medical cannabis will be available.

EARLY VOTING A SUCCESSFUL IN KENTUCKY

After three days of early voting, the Secretary of State's Office said nearly 800,000 Kentuckians (22.3% of registered voters) have already voted by mail or early.

Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams expects voter turnout to increase compared to 2020 and specifically expects over 2 million voters to vote this election.

Early voting offered hope to officials seeking higher turnout as voters in Fayette County waited more than two hours to cast their ballots.

While Adams says his office has not received any complaints about problems or faulty equipment, some issues have been reported on social media.

“In Laurel County, we had a voter who had difficulty following instructions and operating the ballot marking machine properly,” Adams told WKYT. “She confirmed that she could vote for the candidate she wanted. And her vote was counted. Unfortunately, she didn’t mention that in her TikTok video.”

WKYT broke down early voting numbers in Kentucky and found that Anderson County led Kentucky in early voting, with 41% of registered voters casting their ballot before traditional voting began.

Meanwhile, only 3.6% of voters in Johnson County voted early.

In Fayette County, 12.2% of voters cast their ballots early.

IN FAYETTE COUNTY

WKYT closely followed the vote in Fayette County.

One issue on this year's ballot is a new parking tax that would add an additional two and a half cents per $100 to all taxable properties.

Proponents say everyone would benefit, while opponents of the increase have concerns about additional financial burdens on families and equitable distribution of funds.

MORE: Lexington residents vote on proposed parking tax.

There's also the race for the 4th District seat on the City Council between Emma Curtis and Brenda Monarrez, where Curtis has called on Monarrez to resign after Denise Gray filed an interpersonal protection order against her.

Because of the shelter-in-place order, Monarrez attended council meetings virtually.

Monarrez challenged Judge Traci Brislin's ruling in a 13-page appeal.

MORE

• Lexington residents react to judge's ruling against councilwoman
• The Lexington City Council candidate is calling on his opponent to resign under a protective order

Fayette County's sample ballot can be found here.

OTHER RACES WE FOLLOW

WKYT also covered races in Frankfort and Anderson County.

In Frankfort, the House District 57 seat is up for grabs after Rep. Derrick Graham retires after more than two decades in office.

Meanwhile, Democrats may flip a seat in Senate District 7 after Sen. Adrienne Southworth lost her re-election bid in the May primary.

MORE ELECTION RESOURCES

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