Kentucky’s primary election is scheduled for May 19, and several Barren County offices will effectively be decided then, as most races feature Republican candidates with no Democratic opposition.

What is a primary election?

A primary election is typically held to narrow a larger field of candidates ahead of a general election, where officeholders are ultimately chosen. Primaries can be either open or closed.

In Kentucky, primaries are closed, meaning only voters registered with a political party may participate in that party’s primary election, while unaffiliated voters are not eligible to vote in those contests.

Republicans vote in Republican primaries, Democrats vote in Democratic primaries, and other party members vote in their respective primaries.

In an open primary system, voters are not required to be registered with a political party to participate in that party’s primary election.

Mostly Republicans, few Democrats

Following the filing deadline for public office in January, it became clear that most candidates had filed as Republicans, effectively narrowing the field ahead of the primary election.

Under normal circumstances, both Democrats and Republicans would use the primary election to select a single nominee who would advance to the general election in November to face the opposing party.

This year, however, Republican voters will cast ballots that effectively determine the winner of those offices.

Every registered Republican may vote in these races:

• County Judge/Executive: Jamie Bewley Byrd, Paula Ratliff Pedigo
• Sheriff: Freddie Joe Wilkerson, Steve Garrison, Adam Bow
• Jailer: Aaron M. Shirley, Larry Poteet, Hunter Jones

Other Republicans are running for offices such as coroner, county clerk, county attorney, and property valuation administrator. With no opponents from either party, these races are effectively decided.

• Coroner: Timothy O. Gibson
• County Clerk: Helena Chase Birdwell
• County Attorney: Mike Richardson
• Property Valuation Administrator: Kimberly D. Shipley

Republican candidates for magistrate

• 1st District: Brandin Bartley, Mark Shipley
• 2nd District: Brandon Bell, Derek Pedigo
• 3rd District: Tim Durham, Daniel Turner
• 4th District: Thomas G. Branham, Tim Coomer, Trevor Phillips
• 5th District: Greg Gassaway, Steven Gil Hernandez, Marty Kinslow
• 6th District: Steven D. Gibson
• 7th District: Brad Groce, Michael Haynes

Republican candidates for constable

• 3rd District: Josh Garmon
• 4th District: Wayne Pedigo, Russ Webster
• 7th District: Bryan Tenhet

Democratic candidates

• Jailer: James L. Scott
• Magistrate / Justice of the Peace, 4th District: Robert L. Honeycutt
• Magistrate / Justice of the Peace, 6th District: Ronnie Lynn Stinson
• Constable, 5th District: Chris Furlong
• Constable, 7th District: Jeffrey Basil

Since each office has only one Democratic candidate, no local Democratic primaries will be held. Those races will instead appear on the November general election ballot.

Democratic voters will still see congressional races on their ballot.

Nonpartisan Offices

The only nonpartisan race on the 2026 primary ballot in Barren County will be for Glasgow City Council.

• Jamie Read Fancher
• Melinda J. Overstreet
• Chasity Lowery
• Jeff Proffitt
• Randy Wilkinson
• Cathy Thomas
• James “Happy” Neal
• Alexandra L. Hayes
• Riley Boggs
• Michael R. Rich
• Johnny Belcher
• Kent McElroy
• Steven Carroll
• Emberlyn Miller
• Vernon Randall Cundiff
• Korbyn Thomas Miller
• Tommy Burris
• Kristen Nicole Roberts
• Beau Jones
• Elizabeth Dale Shoemaker
• Terry L. Bunnell
• Joe Trigg
• Marna Kirkpatrick

While races like the mayoral offices in Glasgow, Cave City and Park City are also nonpartisan, they will not appear on the primary ballot and will instead be decided in the November general election.

School board elections and a few other local races will also appear only on the November ballot.

What will the ballot look like?

The Barren County Clerk’s Office released a sample ballot several weeks ago.

Only voters living within the Glasgow city limits are eligible to vote for Glasgow City Council. Following the primary election, the top 18 vote-getters will advance to the November general election.

Voters may select up to nine candidates for City Council, but they are not required to choose nine.

On Election Day, voters will receive a ballot that corresponds to their registered party affiliation in the primary election, meaning they will vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary, but not both.

Where and when do I vote?

Voters will have multiple polling locations available on Election Day. In the days leading up to May 19, voting is limited to designated early voting sites, but opportunities are spread across the two weeks prior.

Early Excused Voting

• Dates: May 6–8 and May 11–13
• Time: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Location: Barren County Clerk’s Office
  • 117-1A North Public Square, Glasgow

No-Excuse Early Voting

• Dates: May 14–16
• Time: 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Location: Barren County Extension Service Office
  • 1463 West Main Street, Glasgow

Election Day Voting (May 19)

• Polls open: 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Voters can cast a ballot at any of the following locations:
  • Barren County High School Gym
  • Glasgow Middle School
  • Cave Area Conference Center
  • Haywood Volunteer Fire Department
  • Austin Tracy Volunteer Fire Department
  • Hiseville Elementary School Gym
  • Park City Lions Club
  • Temple Hill Elementary School Cafeteria
  • Beckton Community Center

What to know about voting in Kentucky’s upcoming primary election

Most counties have at least one designated early voting location, and many offer multiple sites as voters have increasingly taken advantage of expanded early voting in recent years.

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