Primary Election Day is Tuesday Early Voting Begins 

Candidates running unopposed in Primary will not appear on ballot until November

By Eugenia Jones

The 2022 Kentucky Primary Election is underway with McCreary County’s excused absentee voters (those with a medical excuse or out of town on election day) having already cast their votes at the Courthouse May 4-11 and early voting for everyone beginning at the Courthouse today (Thursday, May 12), Friday, May 13 from 8:30-4:30, and Saturday, May 14 from 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.  Voters casting their votes on absentee ballots received in the mail can mail their ballots back or place them in the dropbox located in the McCreary County Courthouse.  All ballots must be received by the County Court Clerk’s Office by the end of the business day on Tuesday (May 17), primary election day.

Since many candidates are running unopposed in the May primary, the names of several candidates for office will not appear on Tuesday’s ballot.  Among those running unopposed within their party and whose names will not appear on the ballot until the November General Election are incumbent Democrat Sheriff Randy Waters and incumbent Republican PVA Dwight Ross.  Sheriff Waters’ and PVA Ross’ names will appear on the November ballot when Democratic Sheriff Randy Waters will square off against the winner of Tuesday’s Republican primary race between Republicans Milford Creekmore, David Sampson, and Charles Smith.  Republican Ross’ name will appear on the ballot in November when he takes on Independent challenger, Bruce Lominac.  Incumbent Republican candidates running unopposed by either party and whose names will not appear on the ballot until November include Judge Executive Jimmie “Bevo” Greene, County Attorney Austin Price, County Court Clerk Eric Haynes, Coroner Timothy Corder, Surveyor Jim Watters, and Magistrates Roger Phillips and Randy Maxwell.  As there are no Democratic candidates in the local primary races for State Representative (52nd District), Jailer, Constable Districts 1-4, and Magistrate Districts 1 and 3, the Republican primary results on Tuesday will determine the November winner unless there is a write-in challenge.  The names of nonpartisan candidates for District Judge will also not appear on the ballot until November’s General Election.  Additionally, voters will vote for 5th Congressional District U.S. Representative (Republican only) and U.S. Senator.

On primary day, the polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. at six voting centers in McCreary County.  Voters can choose to cast their votes at any of the six voting centers regardless of the precinct in which they are registered.  The six voting centers for McCreary County are:  Eagle Community Center, North McCreary Fire Department, Whitley City Fire Department, McCreary Middle School, West McCreary Fire Department, and Pine Knot Elementary School Building #2.

Photo by Eugenia Jones

As primary election day approaches, the McCreary County Election Board inspect and compare voter signatures on mailed in ballots.