Clark County Clerk Anita Jones is predicting one of the largest voter turnouts in Clark County history Tuesday.
Jones said she expects 73 percent of registered voters, or about 18,900 people, to cast their ballots.
“I¿think the main draw, from what I¿heard from people coming in to vote absentee, is they just want to vote for president,” Jones said.
Although any presidential election increases voting percentages, Jones said this year’s election seems to be drawing more interest than usual.
The race for 73rd District State Representative also has piqued interest locally with two Winchester residents, incumbent Republican Donna Mayfield and Democratic challenger JoEllen Reed, vying for the position. Clark County residents will be able to vote in the Sixth Congressional District race between incumbent Democrat Ben Chandler and Republican challenger Andy Barr. Independent candidate Randolph Vance also appears on the ballot.
Like the presidential race, state and federal races often mean bigger crowds at the polls, Jones said, though there is not one single factor that can predict voter turnout.
New members will be elected to the Winchester Board of Commissioners and Clark County Board of Education. The City Commission race includes incumbent members Kitty Strode, Shannon Cox, Rick Beach and Kenny Book, and newcomer Ralph Harrison. Commissioners will be the four candidates receiving the most votes.
In the school board race, Steve Graves and Dr. Beth Griffith are vying for the District 2 seat vacated by B.J. Swope. In District 3, Michael McGowan will face eight-year school board veteran Debbie Fatkin. In District 5, Ashley Ritchie will face Deanna Wolfe, who is also running her first campaign after being appointed to the board in 2011 to replace Diane McKinney.
School board District 2 includes the Becknerville, Sphar, Stoneybrook, Boonesboro and Calmes precincts. District 3 includes the Renick, McClure, Mount Vernon, Sunset and Winchester precincts. District 5 includes VanMeter, Victory, Ecton, Kiddville and Wades Mill precincts.
All voters living within the city limits will vote for city commission members.
County-wide, voters will be asked to decide to return the Clark County Fiscal Court to the magistrate format with six representatives, rather than the current three commissioner format. The ballot features a “yes” or “no” question, with a “yes” vote favoring the magistrate format and a “no”¿vote favoring the current county commissioner format.
Clark County Circuit Clerk Paula Joslin is running unopposed.
Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. Voters in the Sphar and VanMeter precincts will vote at the Elks Lodge this year, rather than East Kentucky Power, Jones said.
For information on voter registration and precincts, contact Jones at 745-0280.
Contact Rachel Gilliam at rparsons@winchestersun.com.
