TheTimesTribune.com, Corbin, KY

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May 23, 2012

Voter turnout higher than expected

The Times-Tribune

CORBIN — By Charlotte Underwood / Staff writer

The voting turnout was higher than expected in Whitley County, according to County Clerk Kay Schwartz.

The election day ran fairly smooth in Whitley, with the exception of several precincts losing power briefly and a few complaints regarding signs being too close to polling places.

Power outages were experienced at the Nevisdale, Verne, Level Green, South America, Poplar Creek and Pine Mountain precincts, according to Schwartz.

Schwartz was quick to point out the voting machines are equipped with either a backup battery to store information or some even have a power supply that allows voting to continue despite the loss of electricity.

“Shortly after 4 p.m., we got bombarded by phone calls about the power outage,” Schwartz said. Precincts were only without power for five to eight minutes, according to Schwartz.

Several candidate signs violated the rule stating they must be at least 300 feet from a polling place.

The Corbin Police and the Whitley Sheriff’s Department removed the signs.

“Signs were removed in Corbin near 17th Street and near Williamsburg on Boston and Emlyn,” Schwartz said.

Voting turnout was 18 percent for Whitley County, which was higher than expected, according to Schwartz.

“I was surprised and pleased. It was a good day, good weather and overall a good election,” Schwartz said. She added that she believed it was the local races that really got voters’ interests piqued close to the end.

“I really do believe it was the local race that brought them out,” Schwartz said.

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