Beech Tree News Network

Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, but some voters will likely head to the polls beginning today as early voting gets underway in Kentucky.  With recent changes to the state's voting laws, Kentuckians have three additional days of voting prior to the official Tuesday election day.  Beginning today - Thursday, November 3 - and continuing Friday, and Saturday ( 8:00am -4:00pm), local voters will be able to cast their ballots at the Butler County Courthouse.  

The three contested races that seem to be getting the most attention locally are for seats on the Morgantown City Council, State Representative, and the United States Senate.  

Seven candidates are running for six seats on the council.  In ballot order they are Dustin Embry, Dionne Cannon Merrit, Russell A. Givens, Julie J. Scott, Sharon Johnson, Bryan Driskill Locke, and Amy R. Deweese.  Embry, Merritt, Givens, Johnson, and Locke are all incumbents.  Locke is also currently serving on the council after being appointed to the position for a vacancy but this is his first time seeking the elected position at the ballot box. Voters can vote for up to six candidates.   

In the race for 15th District State Representative, Republican Rebecca Raymer is squaring off against Democrat Britt Hernandez-Stevenson.  The newly-drawn district includes all of Butler and Muhlenberg counties.  

For the United States Senate, incumbent Rand Paul, a Republican, is facing a challenge from Democrat Charles Booker.  

U.S. Representative Brett Guthrie, a Republican, is being challenged by Democrat Hank Linderman.  Guthrie represents Kentucky's 2nd Congressional District.

In non-partisan judicial races, voters will be able to cast ballots in two contested races.  

Kelly Thompson Jr. and Shawn Marie Alcott are vying for a seat on Kentucky Supreme Court.  Meanwhile, the race for a seat on the Court of Appeals (2nd Appellate District, 1st Division) features Jeff S. Taylor and David J. Clement. 

Two additional races generating a fair amount of attention are constitutional amendments.  Kentucky voters are being asked whether or not they favor amending the Kentucky Constitution involving the abortion issue and if the Kentucky General Assembly can call itself into sesson.  

Although Amendment #1 is lengthy as it appears on the ballot, generally it would permit the Kentucky General Assembly to call itself into special session for up to 12 legislative days and set its agenda.  Currently, the General Assembly can only be called into special session by the governor, who then sets the agenda for the special session.  This proposed amendment apparently is a result of the frustration experienced by members of the General Assembly as a consequence of the extraordinary  emergency powers exercised by the governor, and subsequent restrictions, during the Covid-19 pandemic that began in 2020.  Many Kentucky legislators were pressed by their constituents to address what some considered to be overreach regarding Covid restrictions enacted by the governor. A YES vote would amend the Kentucky Constitution to allow the General Assembly to call itself into special session for up to 12 days.  A NO vote would not.

Amendment #2 would amend the Constitution of Kentucky to state that,  "To protect human life, nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion?"   

A YES vote means you support changing the Kentucky Constitution in a way that would prevent a judge from establishing a constitutional right to an abortion in the state constitution.  Therefore, abortion (whether restricting or expanding access) would remain with the legislative branch of government, not the judicial branch.  A NO vote means that you are against this change.   

If you are unsure of your polling location, please contact the Butler County Clerk's office at 270-526-5676.