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Nonpartisan Elections

Hopkinsville is one of a handful of Kentucky cities that still conduct partisan elections for mayor and council.

Under the current system, registered Democrats and Republicans cast ballots only within their party and their geographic ward in the primary. Independents and those who don’t have a party affiliation cannot vote. In the general election, everyone votes in all 12 wards.

In July 2020, the city council voted to shift to a nonpartisan system, but Mayor Wendell Lynch vetoed the effort, saying residents needed more time to understand how nonpartisan elections would affect the community. In May 2021, he appointed a citizens committee to study partisan versus nonpartisan elections.

Here’s our coverage of the initial discussions and the efforts made by the panel of residents.

Mayor Lynch set to appoint nonpartisan elections committee
Jennifer P. Brown•
The committee’s first charge is to learn and educate the public in an “unbiased manner” on partisan versus nonpartisan elections and to explore the “basis for changing the present system.”
Wendell Lynch_featured
Mayoral candidates Lynch and Knight see similar problems but offer different approaches, experience
Jennifer P. Brown•
The winner in the November general election will serve the two years remaining on the former mayor's unexpired term.
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Hopkinsville City Council might not have 8 votes needed to override mayor’s veto of nonpartisan election ordinance
Jennifer P. Brown•
Lynch said the veto is something that “should never be done loosely,” but he cited overwhelming reaction in the community to changing the city’s system of elections — especially during the coronavirus pandemic.
Hopkinsville city seal
City council pushes nonpartisan election vote to next meeting
Jennifer P. Brown•
If the council adopts the ordinance, the city's mayoral and council elections would be nonpartisan beginning with the 2022 election.
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Hopkinsville City Councilman Adams outlines reasons to table decision on city nonpartisan elections
Darvin A. Adams•
"The way in which the nonpartisan doctrine is being communicated to the city is both confusing and secretive. This is precisely why I believe in working closely with other Democrats, Republicans and Independents. No one political party is an island unto themselves. All parties have their own strengths and weaknesses."
Hopkinsville city seal
City council passes nonpartisan election ordinance; second reading required for adoption
Jennifer P. Brown•
Race, as much as party affiliation, figured into the council's split vote. Opponents said the council should not adopt the ordinance during the coronavirus crisis while meetings are being conducted by teleconference and members of the public are limited in their ability to give council feedback.
Hopkinsville city seal