The 2023 general election is Tuesday, Nov. 7. Here are a few things you should know about casting your vote.
Registering to vote
The deadline for Kentuckians to register to vote and be eligible to cast a ballot in the general election is 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10.
Registrations may be submitted online or in person locally at the Christian County Clerk’s Office in the courthouse at 511 S. Main St. Those using the online registration will receive confirmation by mail from the local clerk’s office.
To be eligible, a registrant must be a resident of Kentucky and a U.S. citizen who will be at least 18 years old on or before the general election. Convicted felons may register if their right to vote has been restored by expungement, executive pardon or executive order.
Registered voters who need to update their address or want to change their party affiliation can make the changes online.
Becoming a poll worker
Individuals interested in working the polls on Election Day should submit an application to the Clerk’s Office by Monday, Oct. 16. Applications can be submitted in person or to a drop box outside of the courthouse, via email to jennifer.nichols@ky.gov, or by mail to the following address: 511 S. Main St., Attn: Election Department, Hopkinsville, KY 42240.
Election Day poll workers are paid $300.
What’s on the ballot
The governor’s race between Democratic incumbent Andy Beshear and Republican challenger Daniel Cameron, who is currently Kentucky’s attorney general, headlines the general election. Their running mates for lieutenant governor are Robby Mills on the Republic ticket and Jacqueline Coleman, who is the incumbent Democrat.
But there are also contested races for the state’s other constitutional offices. Those are:
Secretary of State
Michael Adams, R, incumbent
Charles Wheatley, D
Attorney General
Russell Coleman, R
Pamela Stevenson, D
Auditor of Public Accounts
Allison Ball, R, incumbent
Kimberley Reeder, D
State Treasurer
Mark Metcalf, R
Michael Bowman, D
Commissioner of Agriculture
Jonathan Shell, R
Sierra Enlow, D
Ways to vote
There are three ways for Kentucky voters to cast their ballots for the upcoming general election.
By mail
Voters with a qualifying reason can go to govote.ky.gov to request a mail-in absentee ballot by 11:59 p.m. Oct. 24.
Mail-in absentee ballots must be received by clerk by 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7.
In-person, before the election
Christian County will have in-person absentee voting for voters with a qualifying reason from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 25-27, Oct. 30-31 and Nov. 1 at the County Clerk’s Office in the courthouse.
Early voting with no qualifying reason required will be from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 2-4 at the Christian County Senior Citizens Center, James E. Bruce Convention Center and Walnut Street Boys and Girls Club.
On Election Day, at one of 13 polling places
Election Day voting will be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the following polling places:
- James E. Bruce Convention Center
- Christian County Courthouse
- Christian County Senior Citizens Center
- Oak Grove Community Center
- Indian Hills Elementary School
- New Barren Springs Church
- New Palestine Baptist Church
- Sinking Fork Baptist Church
- Pembroke Baptist Church
- Crofton City Hall
- South Christian Elementary School
- Walnut Street Boys and Girls Center
- Hopkinsville Middle School
Voters who have questions may call the clerk’s office at 270-887-4105.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
Julia Hunter is the engagement editor for Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at julia@hoptownchronicle.org.
