By Mark White
An estimated 65 percent of registered voters in Whitley County are expected to go to the polls Tuesday to cast their ballots for president, district judge and other local offices.
Whitley County Clerk Kay Schwartz said that through Tuesday morning 282 people had already cast absentee ballots on the machines in her Corbin and Williamsburg offices, and that 325 mail-in absentee ballots have already been received.
Schwartz noted that this is a little heavier turnout than what her office normally sees at this time prior to an election.
“There seems to be a whole lot of interest this year. People are already calling to see where they are registered to vote,” she noted.
Schwartz noted that people need to realize there is a difference between early voting and absentee voting.
Absentee voting is for people, who will be out of state on Election Day, or who will be unable to vote that day for reasons such as being hospitalized for surgery. Kentucky doesn’t offer early voting to other residents.
Those who will be out of state on Election Day can cast their ballots at the Whitley County Clerk’s Office in
Corbin or Williamsburg until closing time Monday.
In 2004, about 54 percent of eligible voters cast their ballots during the last presidential election. Out of 25,094 voters, 13,629 went to the polls.
Tuesday’s election pits Democratic Senator Barack Obama against Republican Senator John McCain in the battle for president.
The only other local race on the ballot that all Whitley County residents will be able to vote on is the 34th Judicial District Division Two judge’s race.
Incumbent Fred White, who was appointed earlier this year, will face off against Jason Price, who was the winner of the four-way May primary.
The 34th Judicial District comprises both Whitley and McCreary counties.
Price won the primary with a total of 2,966 votes in both Whitley and McCreary counties. White finished second with 2,411 total votes followed by Jane Butcher with 2,401 votes. Lee Gilbert received 1,220 total votes.
White was appointed to replace Dan Ballou, who won a special election for circuit judge last year. The winner in Tuesday’s race will serve out the remainder of the term, which expires Dec. 31, 2010.
In the last two contested primary elections in Whitley County for district judge, the second place finisher in the May Primary has gone on to win the November General Election.
Nine years ago, David Burton finished second to Ben Davis in the primary, but won in November.
In 2002, incumbent Kimberly Frost Wilson won the primary election with Dan Ballou finishing second. Ballou went on to beat Wilson in the General Election by about 17 votes.
In district judge races where more than two people file, there is a primary election in May with the top two vote-getters facing off in the November General Election.
Tuesday’s election also features several battles for local city council and city commission seats.
The Williamsburg City Council will see at least one new member next year. Incumbent Donnie Witt opted not to run for another term.
Incumbents Mary Ann Stanfill, Chet Riley, Erica Broome Harris, Richard Foley and Laurel Jeffries West are all running for re-election along with former council member J.L. Hamblin and Crayton Ellison.
On the Corbin City Commission, incumbents Bruce Farris, Dennis Lynch, Joe Shelton and Phil Gregory will face opposition to keep their jobs from challengers including former commissioner Ed Tye and Janet Kidd Hagan.
Several school board seats are also up for election.
On the Corbin Independent Board of Education there are five people vying for three seats.
Incumbents Sarah E. “Libby” Balenovich and Debra L. Cook are running for re-election along with challengers Todd Childers, Kimberly A. Young and Angela Morris.
Incumbent board member Dr. Carmel Wallace opted not to seek re-election.
On the Williamsburg Independent Board of Education incumbents Kim B. White and Allan Steely are running for re-election and face challenges from Mary Kim Williams and former board member Dwight Jones.
Gail M. Buck is unopposed in her bid to fill out the unexpired term of John David Mountjoy, who resigned from the Williamsburg Independent Board of Education earlier this year so his son could apply for a job with the district.
The term expires on Dec. 31, 2010.
Two incumbent Whitley County Board of Education members face re-election challenges.
District Three Board Member Bobby Wayne Terrell faces opposition from Billy Ralph Stanley.
District Four Board Member Dallas Sawyers is facing opposition from Ronnie L. Faulkner.
Whitley County Board of Education member J.E. Jones is unopposed in his bid for re-election to the Fifth District.
Polls will be open on Election Day from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
