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Photo: Secretary of State website
The Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame on Tuesday announced its sixth class of inductees in Frankfort. Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes joined the organization’s directors, state officials, and the inductees for the announcement in the Capitol Rotunda.
“The members of the Hall of Fame represent the best of Kentucky,” said Grimes. “Each of these individuals demonstrate selflessness and sacrifice not only in the military but back in their communities here in the Commonwealth. These heroes are coaching sports teams, teaching flag etiquette to fifth graders, deacons of their churches, and leading veteran organizations. We are better because of them.”
The Hall of Fame announced that they will induct 25 men and women veterans from across Kentucky. The class represents all branches of the U.S. military and several different conflicts, including World War II. One inductee was a Prisoner of War during WWII and one inductee is a Medal of Honor recipient.
Secretary Grimes has advocated for Kentucky’s military service members and veterans’ right to vote, worked to make it easier to start a business, advocated for access to education and healthcare services. In 2018, Secretary Grimes fulfilled her promise to Kentuckians by announcing that all of Kentucky’s veteran centers will now serve as polling locations, continuing her work in ensuring those who have sacrificed it all, can easily access the ballot box.
“Our organization exists to honor the sacrifice of these men and women who have devoted their lives to community and country,” said H.B. Deatherage, founder and president of the Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame. “We are grateful for our veterans and what they have done. This is one way we can show our appreciation to them.”
The 2019 Kentucky Veterans Hall of Fame inductees are:
- Capt. James J. Bayne, Boone
- Sgt. Denny Belcher, Bath
- Csm. Gregory Bethards, Jefferson
- Sgt. E4 James M. Cartwright, Franklin
- Ssg. Carey T. Christie, Hardin
- Air 1st Class Benny B. Clary, Kenton
- Technical Sgt. Chester E. Elkin, Madison
- Capt. Cletis S. Evans, Jr., Jefferson
- Sfc. Gary W. Finnell, Woodford
- Petty Officer June Forbes, Jessamine
- Staff Sgt. Lawrence Gronefeld, Kenton
- Col. Robert F. Greene, Boone
- Maj. Dean C. Hammond, Jr., Fayette
- Lt. Commander Larry A. Huber, Jefferson
- Col. Micki King, Fayette
- Spc. William L. Krebs, Boone
- MSgt. Emerson R. McAfee, Madison
- Spc. William C. Smith, Franklin
- Col. John M. Shotwell, Fayette
- Cpl. Charles H. Stallard, Jefferson
- Ltc. Dick E. Stoops, Woodford
- Maj. Charles M. Tirone, Kenton
- Machinist Mate 3rd Class Robert L. Webster, Boone
Secretary Grimes has been involved with the organization and has helped to induct each class since it began in 2014. The Hall of Fame plaques proudly hang outside of the Secretary of State’s Office in the State Capitol.
For more information and to nominate a Kentucky veteran to the Hall of Fame, visit kyveterans.org.
Photo: Secretary of State website
Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes on Friday in Lexington took part in her 95th naturalization ceremony since taking office, welcoming 37 new citizens from 21 countries. The ceremony was held at the United States District Courthouse, Eastern District of Kentucky.
The ceremony included the administration of the oath of citizenship required to become Americans at the federal courthouse. Grimes spoke to the new citizens and their families about the duties of civic engagement, voter participation, and commitment to improving Kentucky, continuing her historic voter registration efforts.
“Today marks 95 times I have witnessed new citizens take the oath of citizenship. Just like the first time, it still stirs pride in my heart. Like all the thousands I have met before you, I am so proud to call each of you fellow Americans,” said Grimes. “The most precious right you have gained today is the right to vote – a voice in this democracy. We need you to use your voice and vote.”
The Honorable U.S. Magistrate Judge Matthew A. Stinnett presided over the ceremony.
“Immigration is the driver of this democratic experience,” said Judge Stinnett. “All of us are called to live up to the same oath — to pursue what’s right, not what’s convenient. It’s an honor and a privilege to preside over today’s ceremony.”
The Secretary of State’s staff attend each naturalization ceremony held in Kentucky to greet new citizens and answer questions regarding voting and registration.
Grimes told the citizens they have a responsibility to participate in the betterment of society and register to vote at GoVoteKY.com.
“I am urging you today to go online and register to vote. And then cast your vote in every election. A minority of people are usually determining who we send to city hall, county government, to Frankfort and to Washington, D.C. That’s unacceptable, and you can help change it. Our future is made by people who vote,” said Grimes.
More than 3.4 million Kentuckians are registered to vote ahead of the General Election on Nov. 6, Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes announced Thursday.
Democrats represent the plurality of the electorate with 1.68 million registered voters, or 49.6 percent of voters. Republicans total about 1.41 million, around 41.7 percent of voters, and more than 295,400 voters, about 8.68 percent, are registered with another party or as “Other.”
“We’ve made it easy to get registered to vote in Kentucky,” Grimes said. “At GoVoteKY.com, our one-stop voter portal, folks can register and make changes to their registration online. We’ve seen tens of thousands of Kentuckians getting registered to vote since the Primary Election. That’s only the first step, though. We want all registered Kentuckians to cast a vote in the General Election on Nov. 6.”
The final report of voters for the General Election shows a net increase of nearly 35,000 voters since the May 22 Primary Election.
Each of Kentucky’s six Congressional Districts gained voters since the Primary Election. The 6th Congressional District, where a hotly contested race for the U.S. Representative is underway, saw a net gain of more than 9,100 voters. The Republican Party and other affiliations gained voters in all the districts, while the Democratic Party gained voters in the 3rd, 4th, and 6th Districts.
Since the launch of GoVoteKY.com in 2016, more than 63,000 new voters have registered online to vote. Approximately 27,700 registered as Democrats, 23,500 as Republicans, and 12,200 as some other affiliation. More than 860,000 Kentuckians have visited the portal since it launched with about 200,000 coming since the Primary Election. Nearly 273,000 registration applications have been submitted and processed since 2016.
“This midterm election year in Kentucky is important. On the ballot, Kentuckians will have the opportunity to choose candidates for local offices all the way up to Congress. I join all our election officials – the State Board of Elections, county boards of elections, and our 15,000 precinct election officers – in calling on Kentuckians to go to the polls on Nov. 6.”
Grimes urges Kentucky voters to visit GoVoteKY.com, the Commonwealth’s one-stop elections portal for voter resources, for information on absentee voting, voter registration status, sample ballots, and locating polling places.
Complete registration statistics are available on the State Board of Elections website, elect.ky.gov.
Photo: Secretary of State website
Ahead of next month’s Primary Election, Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes announced a partnership with the Department of Homeland Security to train county election officials across Kentucky on cybersecurity and threats to elections. The trainings are some of the first of their kind in the nation. The announcement came Thursday after a meeting of Kentucky’s Election Integrity Task Force, which Grimes created in 2012.
DHS officials trained Kentucky county clerks on Thursday on cybersecurity and best practices. Grimes announced that over the summer, DHS officials and other partners will conduct statewide cybersecurity briefings and trainings for Kentucky’s 15,000 precinct election officials and media.
The trainings are one piece in a host of security measures Grimes announced Kentucky has in place to protect the integrity of elections.
“Secretaries of State are now on the front lines of national security and protecting America’s democracy,” said Grimes. “Security and integrity has been at the forefront of my approach to elections as Kentucky’s chief elections official. I count our partnerships with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal and state law enforcement agencies as critical to that work. We work every day to monitor and fortify our defenses against any actor – foreign or domestic – that seeks to undermine our democratic process. Today’s trainings are crucial to protecting, defending and increasing confidence in our elections.”
Grimes initiated a partnership with DHS during the 2016 presidential election, shortly before the agency designated America’s elections as critical infrastructure. DHS provides cybersecurity tools and protections of Kentucky’s infrastructure.
“The Department of Homeland Security values our partnership with Secretary of State Grimes as we work together with Kentucky and other states to improve the security of the election process,” said Matt Masterson, senior cybersecurity advisor at DHS. “We appreciate the commitment and dedication that election officials across the state have demonstrated to ensuring secure and resilient elections for Kentucky voters. We look forward to our continued partnership with Secretary Grimes and state and local officials across the nation as we work to maintain the integrity of America’s election infrastructure system.”
Kentucky election officials, led by Grimes, are taking additional steps to protect election integrity.
Following Grimes’ recommendation, the State Board of Elections moved to require all future election equipment purchased in Kentucky to provide a voter-verified paper trail. Kentucky’s Election Integrity Task Force unanimously endorsed the recommendation, which echoes guidance from the Senate Intel Committee’s election security report released last month. Funding recently appropriated by Congress will assist Kentucky in transitioning to a fully paper-backed voting system.
The State Board of Elections is also working with an industry-leading cybersecurity firm, CyberScout, to strengthen the security of Kentucky’s election processes. The Board recently unveiled a new poll worker recruitment tool to assist county clerks in administering our elections with confidence.
“Make no mistake, foreign adversaries seek to do harm by creating doubt that democracy works. I am here today to say that it does, and we are protecting it,” Grimes said.
Details regarding future briefings and trainings with DHS will be forthcoming.
Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes on Thursday recognized educators and community leaders for their work to promote civic education and engagement in Kentucky. She held a ceremony at Rupp Arena during the Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16 and honored an individual from each KHSAA region and a statewide recipient.
“Right now, teachers and educators are routinely being disrespected by the Governor and members of the General Assembly,” said Grimes. “And while the men and women who make positive impacts in the lives of our young people and inspire their growth are being insulted, at the same time, resources are being cut from education. Today, I expressed to these leaders that they are valued and the work they do is crucial to the future of our Commonwealth. They pour their energy into the success of Kentucky’s youth and deserve not only respect but accolades. Our Civic Education Leadership Award honors their outstanding work.”
The Kentucky Outstanding Civic Education Leadership Award program recognizes teachers, school administrators, legislators and community leaders who have made notable contributions toward promoting or implementing civic learning to prepare students to be active and engaged in their communities.
Eric Sexton of Edmonton (Region 4) received the 2018 award. He organizes leadership government sessions for local middle and high school students, which provides them first-hand experience with state government in Frankfort and meetings with their state legislators. Sexton regularly helps organize high school voter registration and education drives. As a career/college coordinator in Metcalfe County, Sexton oversaw a 20 percent increase in college-bound graduates. He received a $1,000 award to be used toward resources for his civic programs.
The 16 regional finalists are:
- Region 1 – Michael Robinson
- Region 2 – Joseph Riley
- Region 6 – Jonathan Joseph
- Region 7 – Jan Helson
- Region 10 – Sara Wells
- Region 11 – Josh Mers
- Region 12 – Jeff Moss
- Region 13 – Jeff Phillips
- Region 14 – Vivian Carter
- Region 15 – Fran Booth
- Region 16 – Lea Ann Reeves-Gollihue
Each regional finalist received a $250 award for their civic education programs.
The Secretary of State’s office’s partners with Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts, which judges the nominations, and Kentucky Department of Education to present this award annually.
Photo: Secretary of State website
The candidate filing period for the 2018 election cycle has opened, Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes announced Wednesday, and she is encouraging potential candidates to use a new filing portal on the Secretary of State’s website.
“The 2018 election cycle is what’s known in Kentucky as a county election year, so it will feature thousands of candidates,” said Grimes, Kentucky’s chief elections official. “As Secretary of State, we’ve launched online voter registration and made military voting easier with the use of technology, so it’s natural that we tackle making the filing process simpler for candidates with a new filing portal online.”
The Secretary of State’s online Becoming a Candidate portal allows potential candidates to use a streamlined web application to fill out much of the paperwork required to become a candidate. At the end of the process, users may save and print a PDF of the required documents for filing with the appropriate filing official. Kentucky law does not currently allow candidates to submit filings electronically.
The portal also allows potential candidates to print blank filing forms or to request forms by mail.
The 2018 ballot will feature Kentucky’s six seats in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as the 100 seats in the Kentucky House of Representatives and seats in even districts in the Kentucky Senate. The judicial slate includes the Kentucky Supreme Court’s third district, Kentucky’s District Judges, and all Commonwealth’s Attorneys and Circuit Court Clerks. On the local level, all county officers will be up for election along with city legislative bodies and mayors of some cities.
The deadline for filing for offices that may have a primary is 4 p.m. local time on January 30, 2018. Independent, political group, or political organization candidates for offices that require a statement of candidacy must file by 4 p.m. local time on April 2, 2018.
Persons interested in becoming a candidate for any office can find more information on the Secretary of State’s online Becoming a Candidate portal at sos.ky.gov.
Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes on Monday said the statewide food drive she announced last month has begun.
The Commonwealth of Kentucky Bowl food drive is a friendly competition between Kentucky’s 15 area development districts in support of the Kentucky Association of Food Banks with a goal to raise 400,000 pounds of food or $50,000 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the state legislation that created the Area Development Districts.
“More than 700,000 Kentuckians don’t always know where they’ll get their next meal,” said Grimes. “That’s a stunning and heartbreaking number. We have to do everything we can to make sure no citizen of this Commonwealth faces hunger.”
Kentuckians can donate through Oct. 27. Donations and monetary contributions are being accepted by each area development district, and they will remain in the communities where they are given. $1 is equivalent to 8 pounds of food. Anyone can contribute at HelpFeedKY.com.
Grimes made visits to several area development districts over the last few weeks to discuss the vital need for hunger relief in Kentucky. She has been a champion for solving Kentucky’s hunger issues since she took office in 2012 and before she was elected to public office. As Secretary of State, Grimes was a vocal advocate for Farms to Food Banks, a law giving tax credits to farmers who donate to food banks. She is a longtime volunteer at the Salvation Army, serving the Thanksgiving meal at her local service center every year. She also has served on the board of God’s Pantry Food Bank in Lexington.
More information on the Commonwealth of Kentucky Bowl is at HelpFeedKY.com.