Preparing for game-changing election on future of alcohol sales

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Reporter - Jason Hibbs
Photojournalist - Mason Watkins

MURRAY, Ky. — Packed polling places, long lines and free rides to any precinct for those who need it: county clerks say turnout for the wet dry vote will likely be record-breaking.

This after an intense campaign by those opposed to, and those in favor of the sale of alcohol in Murray and throughout Marshall County, Kentucky.

There's been a lot of hype surrounding both campaigns. County clerks already have data that's indicative of a huge turnout.

They're looking at absentee ballots. In Murray, the county clerk said 250 absentee ballots were turned in. In Marshall County, 580 absentees. Both clerks say compared to previous elections, that number is impressive and they think tomorrow's turnout will be, too.

Meanwhile, one group took to the street corners for a little last-minute campaigning.

Mark Randall doesn't need encouraging.

"I've been heckled before," Randall said.

He's a campus minister and no stranger to sensitive subjects.

He and his friends across the street and others a block away have one message to everyone driving on Chestnut street: vote no.

"I am committed to letting Murray stay the way it is: family-friendly and that type of thing," Randall said.

But some of the passionate pleas will fall on deaf ears because many minds are already made up.

"I would like people generally to have a choice, to drink or to not," Rusty Jones said.

He proudly displays a 'Vote Yes' sign in his yard and tomorrow will "cancel out" his friendly neighbor Larry Seward's vote. But Seward said that's okay.

"We have our differences of opinion and that's what it is," he said. "We don't have any conflict over it. He has his belief and I have mine."

"There's not much indecision out there," Calloway County Clerk Ray Coursey said.

Coursey expects a huge turnout and has tried to prepare his election officers for the convenience of the voter.

"They want to go into the polling place," Coursey said. "They want to vote, get back out as quickly and easy a possible and that's what we try to make sure they can."

Neighboring Marshall County is no exception. The clerk said both campaigns have been very intense and he expects record turnout.

This for a special election that's provoked passionate people and likely won't soon be forgotten, no matter the outcome.

Special elections come with a cost. The county clerk said in Marshall County taxpayers will be out approximately $33,000 for this election. The Murray election costs about $14,000.

If you're still not sure where to vote, then you can call your county clerk or click here.

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