So-So Turnout Expected For Kentucky's May 22 Primary Election

Friday, May 18, 2018 at 8:59 AM

By Mike Perleberg @mikedup84

Kentucky's secretary of state is predicting voter turnout of less than 30 percent.

(Frankfort, Ky.) - Kentucky's secretary of state is expecting most voters in the state to stay home for the May 22 primary election.

Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes said Thursday she expects only about 30 percent of the state's 3.3 million voters to cast a ballot in next Tuesday's election. While that doesn't sound like many voters, Lundergan Grimes says 30 percent would be far better than other recent elections.

"Next Tuesday, I think you will see a Kentucky electorate that is beginning to get up, get out, and get loud with voters making their voices heard at the polls," said Grimes. "We have witnessed dismal levels of participation in the last few years – 20 percent in 2016, a presidential election, and only 12 percent in the last Governor's race in 2015. This year, I think we could see the number of Kentuckians going to the polls improving."

The turnout, she adds, will be about on par with the midterm elections of 2014 and 2010 when 26.8 percent and 32.2 percent of Kentuckians voted, respectively.

Kentucky voters can check their voter registration status, find their polling place, and view a sample ballot at GoVoteKY.com.

"We need a majority of Kentucky voters deciding our Commonwealth's future, not a minority. I encourage every voter to cast their ballot in the Primary Election," Grimes said.