When Is The Primary Election In Kentucky 2023

By Hana Wheeler

February 22, 2024

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When Is The Primary Election In Kentucky 2023

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Tuesday, May 16, is Primary Election Day in Kentucky.
Polls in the Bluegrass State open at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m., with results expected Tuesday night.
Republican candidates for governor include Daniel Cameron, Kelly Craft, Eric Deters, Mike Harmon, Alan Keck and Ryan Quarles.

Primary election results are in after a full day of voting.

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We’re months away from the general election. Those races are scheduled to take place on Nov. 7, with Democrat imcumbent Andy Beshear and GOP challenger Daniel Cameron facing off for the governor’s office.

You are viewing: When Is The Primary Election In Kentucky 2023

Additional GOP primary winners Tuesday included Michael Adams (secretary of state), Mark Metcalf (treasurer), Allison Ball (auditor) and Jonathan Shell (agriculture commissioner). Democrat Sierra Enlow won her party’s nomination for agriculture commissioner as well.

NEW:Cameron’s blowout and Craft’s blown money: Takeaways from Kentucky’s primary elections

Kentucky election results: Updating results from around the Bluegrass State

Here’s what happened.

9:15 p.m.: Enlow, Shell win agriculture commissioner nominations

In the general election, Democrat Sierra Enlow will take on Republican Jonathan Shell in the race to be Kentucky’s next agriculture commissioner.

The two candidates won their primary races Tuesday night, with Shell landing nearly 57% of the vote and Enlow scoring about 59% of the vote.

More:2023 KY Primary: Enlow, Shell score wins in agriculture commissioner races

Current Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles was ineligible to run again due to term limits. He was on pace to finish second behind Daniel Cameron in the GOP gubernatorial primary.

8:15 p.m.: Cameron claims victory as opponents concede

Daniel Cameron says he’s ready to take on Andy Beshear in Novmeber as the GOP’s nominee for governor.

In a speech following his win in the primary, Cameron said it “sounds like Kentucky is ready for a new governor.”

“The Trump culture of winning is alive and well in Kentucky,” Cameron told the crowd. The former president had endorsed Cameron before the election.

Cameron is the state’s first Black nominee for governor, noting his victory in the primary is proof that anyone who looks like he does “can achieve anything.”

More:Gerth: What did $16M get Kelly Craft? A mortifying third place in Kentucky governor’s race

In Lexington, meanwhile, Ryan Quarles, who is on track to finish second, thanked his supporters in a concession speech, quoting Daniel Boone as he said he was proud of his team’s efforts.

And at a separate party in Lexington, Kelly Craft took the stage to concede and thank her supporters at 8 p.m. She was on pace at the time to finish third.

“I know that our movement has had lasting impressions on Kentuckians across the commonwealth. And the Kentuckians that I’ve met have made a lasting, forever impact on me,” she said, calling on her supporters to rally around the GOP’s nominee. “I would rather be in this room tonight than in any other room with a different result.”

Craft alluded to negative ads that had aired during the bitter primary campaign.

“I knew we would be attacked by Democrats. But I never in a million years thought that the attack would come from my opponents to my family,” she said. “I guess if you’re a politician you’re used to that. But I’ve always tried to believe the best in others, even when they act with hate in their hearts.”

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7:40 p.m.: Metcalf wins GOP treasurer nomination

According to Decision Desk HQ, an election results reporting platform partnering with The Courier Journal, Mark Metcalf has won the Republican treasurer nomination.

Metcalf beat out Andrew Cooperrider and O.C. Oleka in the primary and will be on the ballot in the November general election.

Mecalf pulled in 51% of the vote as of TIME, while Cooperrider had landed 28% and Oleka had picked up 21%.

7:20 p.m.: Adams wins GOP secretary of state primary, Ball wins GOP primary for auditor

According to Decision Desk HQ, an election results reporting platform partnering with The Courier Journal, Republican Michael Adams has won the primary for secretary of state while GOP candidate Allison Ball has won the party’s primary for auditor.

Adams had 63% of the vote as of 7:15 p.m., surpassing challengers Stephen Knipper (27%) and Allen Maricle (10%).

More on the race:Michael Adams wins GOP’s secretary of state nod

Ball, meanwhile, secured 73% of the vote at that time and was on track to defeat Derek Petteys (27%).

7:10 p.m.: Daniel Cameron wins Republican gubernatorial nomination

According to Decision Desk HQ, an election results reporting platform partnering with The Courier Journal, Daniel Cameron has won the Republican gubernatorial nomination.

Cameron, Kentucky’s current attorney general, beat out 11 competitors, including Ryan Quarles and Kelly Craft, in the primary and will be on the ballot in the November general election.

More on the race:Daniel Cameron wins GOP nod in governor’s primary, will face Andy Beshear

Cameron had pulled in 45% of the vote as of 7:10 p.m.

Meanwhile, at his own party, Beshear said Kentucky voters had taken “the first steps to secure four more years” after he won the Democratic primary. He’ll face Cameron in the general election later this year.

7 p.m.: Beshear wins Democratic gubernatorial primary

Gov. Andy Beshear will be back on the ballot in November, as Decision Desk HQ, an election results reporting platform partnering with The Courier Journal, has reported he’s won the Democratic gubernatorial primary over Peppy Martin and Geoff Young.

The news isn’t a shocker. Beshear was considered a heavy favorite and had claimed 95% of votes as of 7 p.m.

6 p.m.: Polls close in Louisville, Eastern Kentucky

Polls in Louisville and other portions of Kentucky under Eastern Daylight Time have closed, with polls in Central Daylight Time set to close in an hour.

If you are in line at 6 p.m., you should be allowed to cast your ballot.

Election results are set to roll in throughout the evening. This story will be updated with results.

The doors to Gov. Andy Beshear’s election night watch party, at the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort, opened promptly at 5:30 p.m. A few tables in the back have started to fill with people, some sporting JCTA shirts

“I’m excited to be here to support a candidate who supports our teachers,” said Robyn Ballinger, a teacher at Chenoweth Elementary in Louisville.

Beshear is on the Democratic ballot, running against Peppy Martin and Geoff Young. His GOP challenger will be determined tonight as well.

5 p.m.: A closer look at one Louisville polling location’s turnout

A reported 10% voter turnout in Jefferson County as of 4:15 p.m. was in line with what crews saw working at Bowen Elementary

Charlie Smith, a volunteer election official at the Lyndon-area school, said he’d seen about 10-15% turnout. Still, he and other officials on site in the final few hours of operation said a bigger crowd could come in the evening – at some points during the day, he said, the location had been totally empty.

Voters trickled in throughout the afternoon, though, including Lian McKernan and her parents, Holly McKernan and Fred McKernan, who came to support current Gov. Andy Beshear. Lian, 21, said it’s important for young voters to head to the polls and make their voice heard.

John Willetts, a 57-year-old Republican, said he voted for Attorney General Daniel Cameron in the gubernatorial primary. He said he was not influenced by President Donald Trump’s endorsement but supported Cameron because of all the candidates, “he’s the one I trusted the most.”

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“We all need to get out of here, especially in the primaries, because then, you know, if you don’t put your voice now, what difference does it make in November?” he said, stressing the importance of a high turnout.

Polls are set to close at 6 p.m., though people in line at that time are allowed to cast a ballot.

Northern Kentucky:2023 KY primary election coverage

4:20 p.m. Turnout in Jefferson County

With polling locations set to close in less than two hours, turnout in Jefferson County broke the double-digit mark.

Erran Huber, spokesperson for the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office, said 66,125 people in Louisville had voted as of 4:15 p.m., accounting for a turnout of 10%. That total includes Tuesday’s votes, as well as absentee ballots and early voting ballots.

Huber said officials hope to see a bigger crowd turn out after work hours end, but totals so far are in line with general expectations. Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams previously said he expected a statewide turnout of about 10%.

“Obviously you always want more (voters) than fewer … but we’re tracking with what we anticipated,” Huber said.

Of those 66,125 votes, 55,717 were cast Tuesday, Huber added.

A relatively low turnout was reported around the state. In Fayette County, for instance, turnout sat at about 8% as of early Tuesday afternoon, according to the Lexington Herald-Leader.

2:52 p.m.: Some Kentucky voters having trouble finding their polling location

A sign placed outside Lyndon Elks lets Kentucky voters know that it is no longer a polling location during the Kentucky Primaries on Tuesday, May 16, 2023. It was however, a polling location for early voting.

Bill Roth, the bartender at Lyndon Elks, said approximately eight people have arrived there thinking its a voting location. Lyndon Elks was a polling place for early voting.

Roth decided to place a sign outside to let people know it is no longer a polling location.

Where is my polling place in Kentucky?

Not sure where your local polling place is in the Bluegrass State? Check out the State Board of Elections website.

What to know:The Kentucky governor primary election is here. 6 things to look for election night

2 p.m.: Tornado warning issued for parts of Kentucky

A tornado warning was issued Tuesday for several counties in Central Kentucky until 2:15 p.m. after a severe thunderstorm was located just north of Hodgenville, about an hour south of Louisville.

Louisville weather:Tornado warning for parts of Kentucky

1:36 p.m.: Republican voters seek to have their voices heard during Kentucky Primary

Dwight Geary of Pleasure Ridge Park said his biggest motivation to vote Tuesday was to replace Democratic incumbent Gov. Andy Beshear.“The state’s not a Democratic state,” he said. “You gotta get a Republican governor.”Geary, 67, voted for current Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron and feels the GOP front-runner would be more ready to step in as governor immediately with his experience in state government. “The points of view of the Democratic Party are just not healthy for the conservative base or the people of Kentucky,” he said.

12:58 p.m.: A steady stream of voters hit the polls in Northern Kentucky

At Connor Middle School in Boone County, one poll worker said there’s been a steady stream of voters all morning.

There, Democrat Carol Sherman-Jones, 62, said voting is a civic duty she does to make sure her voice is heard and to preserve democracy.

She voted for Gov. Andy Beshear because she said he has Kentucky’s best interest in mind.

“I like the way he handled COVID, that’s one thing, and I also really like the way he treats teachers,” Sherman-Jones said.

She also applauds him for helping to get the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project underway, which will create jobs and increase revenue in the state.

9:36 a.m.: Chance of severe storms as voting continues across Kentucky

Showers and thunderstorms are expected across Kentucky Tuesday with a risk for severe storms starting the in the afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

The storms could bring damaging winds and heavy rainfall, though hail and tornadoes cannot be ruled out, the weather service said.

Louisville weather:Severe storms possible Tuesday afternoon

9:20 a.m.: Daniel Cameron casts ballot in Kentucky Primary Election

Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron casts his ballot at Wilder Elementary Tuesday morning. Afterwards he met with media and said he was “cautiously optimistic” about the election.

“The voters will decide who’s going to be the Republican nominee for governor, and we hope that it will be me,” Cameron said. “At the end of the day, the difference between a win and loss is who shows up and goes to the polls.”

Despite the rainy weather in Louisville, Cameron encourages other voters to go out and cast their vote as well.

More:Final Kentucky governor poll shows Daniel Cameron stretching lead over GOP primary field

8:47 a.m.: Vote in the primary election for ‘things to get better’

Joyce Woods is from Russell, and she said she’s a “true democrat.” She said her most memorable election was in 2012 when former President Barack Obama, the nation’s first Black man in office, was voted in. She encourages people to vote for “things to get better.”

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8:06 a.m.: Louisville sees heavy rain on Election Day

Hard rain falls for the second time Tuesday morning, drenching all but the covered entrance into Central High School — one of the many polling locations throughout Louisville where voters can cast their ballots.

One voter donned a flimsy, dark blue umbrella for the trek from the parking lot into the polls.

8:01 a.m.: Rules for if polling locations should keep doors open or unlocked

Confusion surrounded whether or not Central’s front door should be unlocked or standing wide open for voters. Officials showed up to check out the issue and chat with poll workers inside but declined to comment. The doors remain propped open for the morning. Erran Huber, communications director for the Jefferson County Clerk’s office said: “A door needs only to be unlocked, but can be propped open. As part of ADA compliance review, if we find a door that’s different in terms of weight or other factor that affects propping or opening, we’ll put in a temporary call button for an election officer to come and open the door for someone needing assistance.”

How to get to polls:TARC offers free rides on Tuesday for Election Day

7:45 a.m.: How some Kentucky voters pick their candidates in primary election

Delphna Forrest, from Russell, didn’t say which party she is voting for, but a candidate’s values are most important to her. She goes with who lines up with her own value system. Forrest said Louisville is a “good city” but that residents’ hearts are hardened. Integrity and character are what drives Forrest’s choices, and she says voters would look up politicians if they were more honest. Ultimately, she said, change will “take a sovereign will of God” and that no one can do it alone

7:32 a.m.: Voter turnout low for Kentucky Primary

The Kentucky Primary 2023 polls opened at 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 16. At Central High School in Louisville no line was formed at around 7:15 a.m. and voters were able to walk directly in.

About an hour and a half after the polls opened, poll workers converse at the front of Central High about why there are so few voters. They don’t expect a high turnout for Primary Election Day due to early voting and worries about COVID-19.

7:00 a.m.: Fulfilling a civic duty by voting

On the cloudy Tuesday morning, Democratic voter Sanita Woolfolk from Russell said she never misses an election and for her it “feels like what you need to do.”

“It’s my duty to vote,” Veronica Hines said, as she was led into the polls by red signs that read “vote here” in blue letters.“Things need to change,” Hines said.

Pulls have been open for over an hour now and will continue to stay open until 6 p.m. Tuesday.

6:20 a.m.: Light start to day

Birds chip while TARC buses and a few cars whiz by as traffic picks up on Chestnut Street for the morning commute by Central High School, where voters have not yet begun filling the polls.

6 a.m.: Polls are now open

Election Day has arrived, and polling centers around Louisville are welcoming voters for the next 12 hours.

Polls opened bright and early at 6 a.m. and will stay open until 6 p.m. Results from races around the commonwealth will be reported in the evening, setting the stage for November’s general election.

Still, it’ll be a while before we have any winners. In the meantime, here’s a quick guide to today’s action.

5:40 a.m. Early start at Central High School

The parking lot and front of Central High School remain mostly empty except for a few poll workers, one who walks to the doors with coffee in hand to start to the morning on primary Election Day.

Who’s on the ballot in Kentucky?

Both Republicans and Democrats have gubernatorial primaries this year:

On the GOP side, there are 12 candidates, including frontrunners Daniel Cameron, Kelly Craft and Ryan Quarles.
Among Democrats, Gov. Andy Beshear is challenged by Peppy Martin and Geoff Young.

All of Kentucky’s constitutional state offices are up for election this year, but some aren’t contested in the primary. For instance, there are only one Republican and one Democrat running for attorney general, so Russell Coleman and Pamela Stevenson, respectively, will square off in the fall. Democrats only had one candidate for some other offices. Here’s what we do have:

A Republican race for state treasurer between Andrew Cooperrrider, Mark Metcalf and O.C. “O.J.” Oleka.
A GOP race for secretary of state pitting incumbent Michael Adams against Stephen Knipper and Allen Maricle.
Republican and Democrat races for agriculture commissioner.
A Republican race for state auditor that pits current Treasurer Allison Ball against Derek Petteys.

To check out how to see a sample ballot for your county, click here.

What do I need to bring to the polls to vote in Kentucky?

You’ll need to bring a photo ID with you due to a law passed in 2020 that requires voters to show photo identification at the polls.

Your Kentucky driver’s license is sufficient, along with military, college and Kentucky government IDs. You also can get a free, state-issued ID card if you’re at least 18 years old. (Those are available at local circuit court clerk’s and regional driver’s license offices.)

If you don’t have one, you can sign a special form at the polls and show poll workers one of these cards instead:

A Social Security card.
An ID card of any kind that includes your photo and your name.
A food stamp, electronic benefit transfer or supplemental nutrition assistance cards that list your name.
A credit or debit card that lists your name.

You also could get your identity confirmed if you personally know an election officer.

Where to find 2023 Kentucky Primary Election results

The Courier Journal will post results as they come in. Bookmark this link: courier-journal.com/elections/results/local/.

How do I report problems at the polls?

Kentuckians who witness election irregularities or possible election law violations are encouraged to call 800-328-VOTE (800-328-8683).

The hotline is open during regular business hours and from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Eastern time) on Election Day.

We want to know what you’re seeing at the polls, too. If you see any election problems, let us know by emailing [email protected].

If you have any questions about voting, please contact the Kentucky State Board of Elections at 502-573-7100.

Can I buy alcohol on Election Day in Kentucky?

Yes.

The Kentucky General Assembly gave final approval to the bill back in 2013. According to KRS 244.290, authorized sellers “shall be permitted to sell and deliver distilled spirits and wine during the hours the polls are open on any primary, or regular, local option, or special election day.” The exception is when it’s a dry county, The Courier Journal previously reported.

Reach The Courier Journal’s breaking news and election team at [email protected].

Source: https://t-tees.com
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