While ballot harvesting, voter fraud and rigged, stolen elections continue to be hip, trendy topics in the national discussion — one thing is clear.
Trigg Countians needn’t worry about these concerns, at least at the micro level.
Early Wednesday morning in the Trigg County Fiscal Court room, two Democrats, two Republicans, one law enforcement agent and one technical representative from Harp Enterprises and Election Services made sure the municipal voting machines were secure and in good working order.
Better known as Trigg County’s Board of Elections, County Clerk Carmen Finley, Deputy Clerk Lesley Hyde Hampton, Carl Heckmann, Ken Cooley, Sheriff Aaron Acree and Harp Machine Tech Brennen Gabriel oversaw a two-hour process — one that involves the zeroing of tape, the accuracy of testing sample ballots, the two-step authentication of machine data, and zip-tie locking of the machine’s lower cabinets.
Gabriel, from Lexington, was the sole tester of the devices.
Finley pointed out the machines never come into contact with the Internet, ingest only marked paper ballots, and hold a battery backup in case power is somehow lost or disconnected.
The machines are less than five years old. One is used for early voting, one is used for absentee mail-in, one is used for in-person excused, several are used at seven voting locations, and there are backups for repairs and handicap accessibility.
While the mechanical part of an election is important, integrity may be more so. Finley, Heckmann and Cooley attested to the balance of parties that must be maintained in all phases of a local election.
This board certainly agrees that in-person voting provides the lowest chance for error, but early voting is key to improved voter turnouts, and absentee ballots should be an option.
Finley reflected on a 2022 scenario, in which the checks and balances system “prevented” someone from voting twice — and likely accidentally.
All Trigg Countians will have voting access to the following six races at the state level:
— Republican candidate and Attorney General Daniel Cameron, with Robby Mills, or Democrat incumbent Andy Beshear, with Jacqueline Coleman, for governor.
— Republican incumbent Michael Adams or Democrat candidate Charles “Buddy” Wheatley for secretary of state.
— Republican candidate Russell Coleman or Democrat candidate Pamela Stevenson for attorney general.
— Republican candidate and State Treasurer Allison Ball or Democrat candidate Kimberley “Kim” Reeder for auditor.
— Republican candidate Mark Metcalf or Democrat candidate Michael Bowman for treasurer.
— And Republican candidate Jonathan Shell or Democrat candidate Sierra Enlow for agriculture commissioner.
Two local races also exist, and both require write-in candidates. The 1st Magisterial District, around south Cadiz and Hamtown, needs someone to fill the unexpired term of constable. As does the 7th Magisterial District, which represents Bethesda and northwest Cadiz.
Finley reported to the Trigg County Fiscal Court earlier this week, and noted that more than 50 absentee ballots had been returned to her office. And though it’s too late to change party or register for this year, the absentee mail-in portal remains open until October 24. These can still be ordered through a phone request at (270) 522-6661, but a reason for absentee must be provided.
One can also change their address at this time, if needed, and these ballots can be returned to PO Box 1310, Cadiz, Kentucky, 42211, deposited at the Trigg County Clerk’s office drop box, handed to a deputy clerk, or taken to the drive-through window on 38 Main Street.
In-person excused voting will be allowed October 25 through November 1 at the Trigg County Clerk’s Office, during regular office hours from 8 AM until 4 PM Monday through Friday.
In-person early voting will be available for all registered voters from 10 AM until 6 PM November 2-4 at the Emergency Operations Center on 39 Jefferson Street.
On November 7’s Election Day, Trigg County’s voters will have the following seven options:
— The East Golden Pond Fire Department at 4286 Canton Road;
— The Emergency Operations Center at 39 Jefferson Street;
— The South Road Fire Department at 1010 Oakland Church Road;
— The Trigg County Recreation Complex at 303 Complex Road;
— The Trigg-Lyon Fire Department at 8811 Rockcastle Road;
— The Way at 197 Lafayette Street;
— And a new location: the Cerulean Baptist Church at 225 Main Street.
Finley said this is a safe and secure change away from the Cerulean Fire Department, which for decades has served as the citizen stop.
State officials hope voter turnout approaches 50%, but Finley and the board said they would be “thrilled” if Trigg Countians turned out north of 30%.
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