Change could be coming for Hopkins Co. voters

HOPKINS CO., KY (WFIE) - Voters in Hopkins County may have to switch polling stations. It's all because of the state's re-drawing of congressional districts. The county is going to have to add 11 more precincts.

"It has split all the precincts in Hopkins County so we have to go in and correct all the imaginary points, it did a domino effect," said Elections Director Keenan Ratliff.

Thirty-three of the 40 current precincts are separated by imaginary lines and the State Board of Elections says that's not allowed anymore.

"Everything that has an imaginary point or imaginary line will have to be changed to a physical boundary feature," Ratliff said.

Ratliff says these changes, including adding more precincts, are expensive.

The to-do list could cost the county $110,000 initially and $20,000 annually after that.

County Clerk Devra Steckler says this was the worst possible timing with it being a presidential election year. She says next year would've been a whole lot easier.

"Next year when there are no elections(would've been easier), so there are no filings, so there's not this chaos. We can at least advertise enough to let people know what's coming and where their precinct location is going to be," Steckler says.

Steckler says some residents will have to change where they vote, but it won't be anything too major.

"What we will be doing is trying to accommodate them the best possible way that we can, get them in their closest polling location."

Once redistricting is approved by the state, the election office has 20 days to submit new precincts and boundary lines.

The election office plans to step up advertising efforts throughout the year to make sure all residents are familiar with any changes.

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