Secretary of State
Grimes Predicts Low Voter Turnout; Encourages Voters to Make Voices Heard

With fewer than half of the federal and state legislative offices on the ballot in 2012 having primaries, Secretary of State and Chief Election Official Alison Lundergan Grimes predicts statewide voter turnout in the May 22nd Primary Election will be between 10 and 12 percent. “Comparing current absentee voting statistics to information from past presidential election years in which an incumbent has been seeking a second term, it appears turnout will be slightly lower this year,” said Grimes. “But I will continue to use my best efforts to encourage all eligible Kentuckians to exercise the right and fulfill their responsibility to vote, and I hope turnout is actually higher.”

Grimes attributed the lower interest to the facts that there is already a presumptive nominee for the Republican presidential candidate and that there is a relatively low number of primaries in the races for United States Representative, State Senator, and State Representative. For each partisan office on the ballot, there are potentially two primaries – one to nominate a Republican candidate and one to nominate a Democratic candidate. But there are only six primaries out of a possible 12 for United States Congress, eight out of a possible 38 for State Senate, and 30 out of a possible 200 for State House.

“This election – like all elections – is important,” said Grimes. “Our government relies on citizens being engaged, and I urge all Kentuckians to vote on Election Day.”

For additional election information and to listen to or download Grimes’ message encouraging voters to make their voices heard on Election Day, visit sos.ky.gov.

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