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The Hardin County Election Board met Monday morning to discuss a special election and the upcoming primary election.
The board approved the proposed plan from Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith for a special election to fill the Kentucky House of Representatives District 26 seat vacated by Russell Webber. That district covers the western half of Bullitt County and three precincts in northern Hardin County: West Point, Fort Knox 26, and Radcliff Southeast. The term runs through the end of this year.
Smith said the new clerk’s office location at the former Nolin RECC office in Radcliff should be approved for absentee and early voting, while polling locations for election day are still being lined up. Smith said even with the special election only being for one seat the county has the same duties and responsibilities as any other election.
“We know these are always low turnout, but we can’t treat it like it’s not a real election,” Smith said. “We can’t treat it like it’s a play election. It’s the real thing.”
The special election will be held Tuesday, March 19. Candidates will be nominated by the respective political parties.
The board also approved Smith’s plan for the May 21 primary election. Smith said with 2024 being a presidential election a higher turnout is expected, but the plan already fits in with his goal of adding more polling locations, which people responded well to in 2023.
“One of the things people like is yes, there was a line, but the line moved quickly,” Smith said. “There were a couple of times we had to make some adjustments during the day. We had to send an extra piece of equipment to one location, etc., but ultimately this plan is a blend of that. It adds more locations and then it beefs up our existing locations so that we can get people through the line quickly.”
Smith’s plan would increase the polling locations on election day from 12 to 15, and would add the former East Hardin building in Glendale as an early voting location.
Visit the clerk’s office’s website for more election information.
After multiple days of wintry precipitation, frigid winds, and freezing temperatures, the area finally gets a bit of a break this week.
“We’re warming up into the 40s for highs by Monday, mid and upper 40s by Tuesday, and even 50s by Wednesday, so we do see a pretty good ramp-up in the warmth as we go later into the week,” said Meteorologist Dan McKemy with the National Weather Service in Louisville.
After a day of mostly sunny skies Monday, rain showers are expected through most of the rest of the week.
Highway crews had their work cut out for them over the weekend as another round of precipitation coupled with some of the coldest temperatures of the season impacted road treatment efforts. While many of the major thoroughfares are in better condition, many lower-volume roadways are still being treated.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear is reminding Kentuckians to be safe in the cold and on the roads, with five deaths reported around the commonwealth due to the freezing temperatures last week. The governor’s office is also reminding residents in need to take advantage of the state’s emergency services as needed, which can be found at kyem.ky.gov, and is reminding Kentuckians of the state’s price gouging laws, violations of which can be reported to the state attorney general’s office.
The Hardin County Clerk’s Office is still seeing delays due to the state’s new vehicle registration software.
“This new software system, KAVIS, that’s been introduced by the Transportation Cabinet is still wonky and still buggy,” said Hardin County Clerk Brian D. Smith. “We’re reporting those bugs to the software team and they are working on them.”
He said despite still seeing longer wait times progress has been made.
“What is currently not available right now is online registration,” Smith said. “We’re hopeful that they’ll get that up and running very, very quickly, but most other transactions we’re able to complete. We just ask for continued patience from the public.”
While some delays are expected, the staff at the clerk’s office is still working hard to accommodate customers.
“We always encourage folks to renew your registration on time,” Smith said. “That;s always helpful. It will save you time and money, but expect a longer than anticipated wait. Early mornings seem to be the best time to come. We’re a little bit lighter in the mornings. Afternoons get really, really heavy.”
Smith said he can’t thank the public enough for their patience.
“They have really, really been gracious,” Smith said. “I know it’s been frustrating for them. I know they’re worried about deadlines and timelines. We are too. We’re going to do our very best to help them.”
Smith has been posting ongoing updates to the Hardin County Clerk’s Office’s Facebook page.
Local sports with A.J. Brammer.
Send your team’s schedule and stats to sports@wqxe.com!
Podcast: Download (Duration: 2:35 — 5.9MB)