Bourbon County Clerk's Office, poll workers ready for election

Jason E. Silvers/Tribune photos Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason goes over some last-minute preparations and instructions with about 40 poll workers Monday afternoon in the Bourbon County Courthouse. Polling places for today's election will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Employees in the Bourbon County Clerks office were scurrying Monday to finish last-minute preparations for today's election.

After getting the poll sites set up Monday morning, County Clerk Kendell Mason and her staff were getting ballots ready to send to the poll workers on Monday afternoon. She met with those workers at Monday afternoon.

"They're the real hands-on in this. They do a lot for us," Mason said.

Jason E. Silvers/Tribune Photo Bourbon County Clerk Kenell Mason speaks to her poll workers during a Monday meeting in preparation for today's election.

Mason went over final instructions with about 40 poll workers and answered some questions during a brief gathering Monday at the Bourbon County Courthouse. She also made sure all workers knew what polling place they would be working today.

Mason instructed workers to "never turn anyone away who wants to vote," make sure voters have photo identification, and to not offer voters their personal opinions of any candidate in the election.

"I know sometimes it's hard, but don't give your opinion," she said.

Mason said seven local polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. She also thanked all the poll workers in attendance for their participation.

Mason took over as clerk when Joanne Long resigned prior to the 2012 election, in which Mason was elected county clerk.

Mason held the reins for the November general election, she said she had no idea what to expect in the way of turnout today. This is her first April election as county clerk.

"Who knows what it will be," Mason said.

Typically, the turnout for April elections are lower than for general elections, she said.

She is pleased with the number of people who took advantage of voting in advance. On Friday, 200 ballots had been cast in advance and she estimated an additional 50 had been cast when advanced voting closed at noon on Monday. Those ballots will be counted after polls close tonight.

"Everybody thinks that we know what the results are now, but we don't," Mason said.

With one election under her belt, Kendell said she is ready for today. There were lessons learned during the general election, she said, which has helped with preparations for today's election.

"I think it's been great. We've all pulled together and there's been a lot of good help," Mason said.