HARDIN COUNTY, Ky. — Both Hardin County and Nelson County are expecting a large voter turn out for Election Day as their early voting numbers are breaking previous records. The county clerks said they are prepared to ensure every vote is accounted for in a timely matter.
"So we don’t really know what the overall turnout is going to be," said Brian Smith, the Hardin County Clerk. "But given what we’ve seen in early voting… it wouldn’t surprise me if Hardin County turns out at a higher percentage than ever before."
As voters gear up for the final day to submit their ballot, they can expect longer wait times and the demand for more assistance.
"Well there’s a lot of people in Hardin County it’s pretty diverse and there’s a lot of issues," Hardin County voter Melvin Whitman said. "A lot of agriculture, friends of mine want to have their voices heard."
This year Hardin County has roughly 89,000 registered voters.
On Monday, the voting process is on pause as poll workers prepare to welcome voters at one of their 15 polling locations.
In the last presidential election, the county only had four locations so they added more to meet the increasing demand.
Smith said they processed over 4,000 votes a day last week.
"It was staggering," Smith said. "The lines did get a little long but I'm so pleased with how patient people were. They were just excited to be there. When I would go out and talk to people while they were standing in line I said, ‘We’re breaking records in Hardin County’. They just erupted in applause it was exciting.
The clerk said in the past, county residents voted below average but he believes that won’t be the case this year.
With an expectation of large crowds coming to the polls, county sheriff John Ward said deputies will be patrolling locations.
"There’s no threat of any kind of violence or anything like that," Ward said. "We just, we want our polling locations to be safe and secure."
Meanwhile in Nelson County, clerk Jeanette Sidebottom and her supervisor Catherine Marks are setting up voting booths in a Bardstown church.
"For the three days of early voting, we had almost 4,800 people in three days," Marks said. "So that was a massive number for us. We’ve never had that kind of number before."
Nelson County has about 36,000 registered voters and early ballots are also breaking previous records. Sidebottom had to call other county officials to help with the large crowds and the sheriff’s office is also ensuring a safe environment.
"I just want everyone to remain patient with us," Sidebottom said. "We’ll get your vote. You’re voice will be heard. As long as you’re in line by 6 o’clock you will be able to vote."
For now, the polls are empty but come Election Day be prepared to wait awhile if you’re voting in Kentucky.
To find your nearest polling locations the clerks said to visit the state website elect.ky.gov.
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