Republican and Democratic voters in Kentucky are choosing nominees today to compete in the November general election. A large number of races are on the ballot from county offices to the state legislature and Congress, and Kentucky’s top election officer says voting in today’s primary has gone smoothly for the most part.
Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes says there were a few malfunctioning machines and some voters showing up at the wrong polling location, all typical problems with any election. Several complaints about vote buying in eastern Kentucky were reported to the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office. Grimes says her office and multiple law enforcement agencies are working to make sure each vote is secure.
"If someone wants to harm our election or its processes, they will pay a penalty and we have our election investigators that are out throughout the Commonwealth today making sure to field those complaints," she says.
In an off-year election without a gubernatorial or presidential election, about 30 percent of voters are expected to cast ballots. Secretary Grimes says she expects results to come in fairly quickly with the exception of one race.
"I do think it's going to be a long night for the 6th Congressional District," she says. "We expect that to be a very close race."
That contest features Lexington Mayor Jim Gray, retired Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath, and State Senator Reggie Thomas. The winner of the Democratic primary will likely face Republican incumbent Andy Barr in November.
Polls close at 6 p.m. local time. Secretary Grimes says as long as voters are in line by 6 p.m., they will be allowed to cast a ballot.
This story comes from WKYU. For more stories like this, visit wkyufm.org now.
