With the 2024 election less than a week away, the Fayette County Democrats held a “Rally to Get out the Vote” event at the Burl Brew with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear and Lt Gov. Jacqueline Coleman in attendance.
On Wednesday, Oct. 30 Kentucky Democratic representatives and candidates at the event called for funding for public education, pro-choice legislature and support for Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz in the upcoming presidential election.
“This is such an important election, and it can continue an important trend in Kentucky. Last year we shocked the world, they didn’t think that a Democratic ticket could win in Kentucky, not by a little but by 5 whole percentage points,” Beshear said.
State senators, gubernatorial advisers and candidates also took the stage, sharing their own stories about why voting is crucial in their communities.
“We’ve got great candidates up and down the ballot. So you start with Kamala Harris and go all the way down the line and elect Democrats so that we can give this fine governor the resources he needs to really turn Kentucky around,” State Sen. Reginald Thomas said.
Kentucky leaders urge voters to help those around them get to the polls, Thomas said.
“I’ve been proud to stand up and veto every anti-LGBTQ bill. I’ve been proud to stand up and veto every anti-union bill they try to pass. I’ve been proud to have vetoed four separate anti-choice bills, but we need more help,” Beshear said.
Election issues on the Kentucky docket include two amendments to the Kentucky constitution.
Amendment Two, would allow public funds to provide financial support to education outside the current public school system, according to the Kentucky state website.
“Your vote matters. So many people think it doesn’t but in our first election, Gov. Beshear and I won Kentucky by one and a half votes per precinct. So if one person in each area had done something different, we wouldn’t be here today,” Coleman said.
State leaders are grateful for those going out to vote for the first time, according to State Rep. Cherlynn Stevenson, minority caucus chair.
“If you’re 18 and just getting ready to vote for the first time, thanks for registering. If you’re older and you have finally decided that you have had enough and you are ready to vote, I say thank you. We need you, we need more people to get out and vote. Exercise that right,” Stevenson said.
With early voting beginning soon, many attendees expressed their commitment to hitting the polls, Beshear said.
“We have to think about not only today but what’s happening in the future, and in 2016 42.1% of voters did not vote and that’s how we ended up where we are today. Just think what we can do now with Kamala,” retired artist and attendee Jennifer Boylston said.
Fayette County residents can vote early at all public library locations. The early voting period will run from Thursday, Oct. 31 to Saturday, Nov. 2. Regular voting will occur Nov. 5, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., voters must bring a valid driver’s license or government ID. Find your polling location here.
