LOUISVILLE — A dispute over food and bathroom access led to workers threatening to leave a polling place in southwestern Kentucky, but officials reported few other problems as voters cast ballots for governor and other statewide offices Tuesday morning.
The dispute over whether poll workers could bring food into the polling place at the newly renovated Oak Grove City Hall was resolved by midmorning, said Les Fugate, a spokesman for the Kentucky Secretary of State's office.
Clerks around the state reported few problems and no lines early in the day, but turnout was still expected to reach about 42 percent, Fugate said.
"There's no reason to adjust that up," Fugate said.
Poll workers at Oak Grove City Hall threatened to leave after being denied access to food, bathrooms and phones by city officials, said Melinda Humphries, deputy clerk for elections in Christian County.
Oak Grove Mayor Dan Potter said he was trying to protect the renovated section of city hall from food stains and cigarette smoke brought in by poll workers.
"We don't want Coca-Cola or coffee spilled on the floor," Potter said. "There's a lot of tension right now, but it'll be over by 6 p.m., and we won't have to see them again for at least another year."
Humphries said a new polling place may be found before the 2008 presidential election.
Voters in Jefferson County complained that MoveOn.org, a liberal political group, set up tables outside some polling places and told people they were conducting exit polls.
"A number of voters are complaining that it's intimidating," Fugate said.
Two precincts in the Jefferson County reported problems. One polling place opened about 50 minutes late because poll workers had problems starting the machines, while electioneering was reported at another polling place, Fugate said.
The top race on Tuesday's ballot was between incumbent Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher and Democratic challenger Steve Beshear. Pre-election polling by various media outlets put Beshear in front by 15-23 points.
Linda Rose, a 54-year-old bank manager from Prestonsburg, voted for Fletcher at the Floyd County Courthouse in eastern Kentucky, where about a dozen voters trickled in within the first hour after the polls opened.
"I'm against gambling big time and for conservative Christian values," Rose said.
Kay Ross, 45, an adult education director for Floyd County, voted for Beshear. Ross said no particular issue influenced her. "I think it would be something new and fresh ... I think he'll listen to the people of Kentucky," Ross said. "Not that I think Governor Fletcher hasn't, but I think he has a personal agenda."
Mickie Sulham, a 55-year-old banker, voted for Beshear at Ashland Elementary School in Lexington. Sulham said she didn't vote a straight Democratic ticket and wasn't voting for Beshear because he was a great candidate.
"I'm not that big (of) a Beshear supporter, I'm just against Fletcher," Sulham said. "I think I voted for Fletcher (in 2003) but I wouldn't swear to it, it's been four years."
Jack Huber, a 46-year-old industrial supplies salesman, voted for Fletcher at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Lexington, even though two of his children worked for Beshear's campaign. Huber said Fletcher's work bringing the World Equestrian Games to Lexington in 2010, among other things, convinced him the incumbent deserves another shot.
As for the difference with his children?
"I don't talk to my kids about (politics) I let them make their own choices," Huber said. "They're not going to be listening to me anyway."
Kentucky Secretary of State Trey Grayson has predicted about 42 percent of the voters in Kentucky will cast ballots. Kentucky has 2.8 million registered voters, including about 1.6 million Democrats, about 1 million Republicans and 186,451 people registered as "other."
Grayson, Kentucky's top election official, said the projection was based in part on an increase in absentee ballots cast in the days before Tuesday's election. The number was up by about 20 percent from the 2003 election.
"We'd like to have it higher, but that's just what we think it's going to be," Grayson said.
Voters also will cast ballots in several other statewide races.
Incumbent state Auditor Crit Luallen, a Democrat, faces Republican Linda Greenwell in a rematch of their 2003 campaign. Grayson is challenged by Democrat Bruce Hendrickson, a former small-town mayor from southeastern Kentucky. Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer, a popular former University of Kentucky basketball player, is opposed by Democrat David L. Williams, a perennial candidate who was once a Republican.
Campaigns for two statewide offices do not involve an incumbent.
Republican Melinda Wheeler, who is running on a platform to abolish the office, is running against Democrat Todd Hollenbach for treasurer. Meanwhile, Democrat Jack Conway takes on Republican state Rep. Stan Lee in the race for attorney general.
Election 2007
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John Flavell
Discussion
November 6, 2007
Few problems, light turnout as voters choose governor
- Election 2007
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Time to apply
Those hoping to receive need-based aid from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority to attend college in the fall of 2011 are advised to apply for the assistance immediately. Since the aid is awarded to qualified applicants on a first-come, first-served basis, when individuals apply can be the difference in whether or not they receive financial help to attend college.
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Young leaders
The eight students from Russell High School and Raceland-Worthington High School who attended the first-ever Youth Summit on Hunger and Poverty are not your typical teenagers. While their classmates have been spending their summer days sleeping late,
The eight students from Russell High School and Raceland-Worthington High School who attended the first-ever Youth Summit on Hunger and Poverty are not your typical teenagers. While their classmates have been spending their summer days sleeping late, lounging at the pool or just goofing off with their friends, these eight students have voluntarily given up nearly 40 hours of their vacation time over a three-week period learning about the social and economic woes in Greenup County and the non-profit agencies working to alleviate those problems
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Senate president wants Mongiardo to vacate seat
Now that Daniel Mongiardo will be taking the oath of office as lieutenant governor on Dec. 11, Senate President David Williams wants him to vacate his seat in the Senate immediately.
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Beshear planning Kentucky-themed inauguration
Gov.-elect Steve Beshear's inauguration next month is going to have a Kentucky theme to it, with many horses.
- Republicans praise Fletcher, vow 2008 will be different First they looked back, thanking Gov. Ernie Fletcher and listing his accomplishments. Then they looked forward, promising to unite and make sure U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell is re-elected next year.
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Beshear starts transition
Lt. Gov. Steve Pence, a Republican who was removed from his perch atop the state Justice Cabinet, will help Gov.-elect Steve Beshear with his incoming administration's transition to power.
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Gov.-elect Steve Beshear meets with legislators
Gov.-elect Steve Beshear said Wednesday that his lopsided victory was a clear signal that Kentuckians want to decide the fate of casino gambling.
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Beshear completes comeback
Democrat Steve Beshear easily defeated the scandal-plagued Republican incumbent Tuesday to become governor of Kentucky, pulling off a political comeback 20 years after he last held office.
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Hewlett, Bentley win in Greenup
Two Greenup city officials who were appointed to fill vacancies earlier this year will get to hold onto those jobs awhile longer.
- Beshear wins easily Steve Beshear cruised to an easy 18-point win over incumbent Republican Gov. Ernie Fletcher, crushing hopes for the Republican Party to hold onto the governor’s office for a second term.
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Time to apply
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