Tuesday’s special House elections: What you need to know
Kentuckians in four state House districts will go to the polls Tuesday for special elections to fill vacancies. Here’s what you need to know.
Question: Why do these special House elections matter?
Answer: Control of the Kentucky House could shift depending on their outcome.
Democrats now hold a 50-46 margin in the 100-member House.
If Republicans win all four special elections, the House would be split 50-50 along party lines. That would be unprecedented in the state and would raise questions about who would govern the chamber.
Republicans haven’t controlled the House since 1920. The GOP already controls the governor’s office and the Senate, so taking the House would clear the way for a conservative legislative agenda that House Democrats have stymied in the past.
Q: Which four seats are up for election and who are the candidates?
A: In the 8th District, which includes parts of Christian and Trigg counties, Democrat Jeffrey R. Taylor and Republican Walker Hood Thomas, both of Hopkinsville, hope to replace Democrat John Tilley, who Gov. Matt Bevin appointed secretary of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.
In the 54th District, which includes Boyle and Casey counties, Republican Daniel B. Elliott and Democrat Bill Noelker, both of Danville, hope to replace Republican Mike Harmon. Harmon was elected state auditor in November.
In the 62nd District, which includes Owen County and parts of Fayette and Scott counties, Republican Phillip Pratt and Democrat Chuck Tackett, both of Georgetown, hope to replace Republican Ryan Quarles. Quarles was elected state agriculture commissioner in November.
In the 98th District, which includes parts of Boyd and Greenup counties, Democrat Lew Nicholls and Republican Tony D. Quillen, both of Greenup, hope to replace Democrat Tanya Pullin, who Bevin appointed to be an administrative law judge.
Q: Who may vote in these special elections?
A: All registered voters in the districts may vote.
Q: How do I find out if I may vote and where to vote?
A: Voters may call their county clerk’s office or go online to the voter information center at Elect.ky.gov. In Fayette County, the voting location for the Bell School House and Town Branch precincts will be at Masterson Station Clubhouse, 328 Masterson Station Drive. No other Lexington precincts vote Tuesday.
Q: When will the polls be open?
A: From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. Voters must show identification or be known by a precinct officer.
Q: What is the party breakdown of registered voters in each district?
A: 8th District: 16,286 Democrats, 8,288 Republicans
62nd District: 18,189 Democrats, 13,226 Republicans
54th District: 13,577 Democrats, 16,422 Republicans
98th District: 18,256 Democrats, 11,370 Republicans
Q: How long will Tuesday’s winners serve?
A: They will fill the remainder of the vacant terms, which run through this year.
All 100 House seats are up for election this year to determine who will be the state’s representatives for the next two years.
All eight candidates in Tuesday’s special elections also have filed to run this year for the next two-year term.
Q: When will Tuesday’s winners take office?
A: The state Board of Elections is scheduled to certify Tuesday’s winners at its March 15 meeting. That means no winner can take office before March 15.
If they are sworn in March 15, they will join this year’s legislative session on the 48th day of the 60-day session when votes on important issues, such as the state’s two-year budget, will likely remain.
Q: How much money has been raised for these special elections?
A: Even though these campaigns did not start until late January, they have attracted big money. Various outside groups have spent heavily on behalf of the Republican candidates. The House Democratic Campaign Caucus has provided funds to Democratic candidates.
As of Feb. 22, here’s how much each candidate had raised. The next filing deadline for campaign finance reports is April 12.
▪ 8th District: Taylor $74,490, Thomas $50,600.
▪ 54th District: Elliott $51,450, Noelker $94,690.
▪ 62nd District: Pratt $85,522, Tackett $36,132.
▪ 98th District: Nicholls $56,940, Quillen $62,243.
Jack Brammer: (▪ 502) 227-1198, @BGPolitics
This story was originally published March 7, 2016 at 2:54 PM with the headline "Tuesday’s special House elections: What you need to know."