2026 Primary Election Day – County Results

Tuesday, May 19th was primary day in Kentucky and the polls opened around the state from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. In addition to local offices, voters decided who will be on the ballot in November for major races across the commonwealth. The Election Fraud Hotline, 800-328-8683 or online, remains available to report suspected election law violations. On Election Day, the hotline is answered live by members of the state attorney general’s team from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Before in-person voting began, there were 112 complaints for 2026.

Secretary of State Michael Adams has predicted voter turnout could top 20% this time, higher than in previous primaries. Requests for absentee ballots were up and turnout was strong for no-excuse early voting on May 14-16. Adams reported that through Saturday, 184,992 Kentuckians had voted, 5.4% of all those registered. Pre-election day turnout was up significantly from the early voting in the last comparable election, the midterm primary in May 2022, Adams said.

According to the Kentucky State Board of Elections, the Jackson County has 8,256 registered Republicans, 1,032 registered Democrats, and 307 registered others. The County Clerk’s Office had processed 227 mail-in applications (216 Republicans & 11 Democrats). A total of 203 mail-in ballots had been returned (89.82%). The Clerk’s Office saw 29 Excused In-person voters cast their vote (28 Republicans & 1 Democrat). In addition, the office saw 616 No Excuse In-person voters exercise their constitutional right to vote (606 Republicans and 10 Democrats). An unofficial total of 848 Absentee ballots were processed.

The following are the unofficial results for Jackson County voters and offices as reported by PRTC Election coverage of vote totals supplied by the County Clerk’s Office. For the first time in Jackson County's history, the entire fiscal court will be replaced. The Federal and State Offices involve other counties and some of their results were not available at press time. The other results will be reported in next week’s issue along with the recap sheet.

County Judge
1 - Betty Hays ------- 871
2 - Paul N. Rose ------ 716
3 - Jason B. Slone ------ 180
4 - Linda J. Isaacs ------ 358
5 - Paul S. Hays ------ 990 (WINNER)
6 - James Benjamin (Kyle) Welch ------ 126

Magistrate – District 1
1 - Rodney Chrisman ------ 250
2 - Ovie Adkins ------- 268
3 - Tim Madden ------ 369 (WINNER)
4 - Shannon Dale Vickers ------- 87
5 - Keith Sandlin -------- 71

Magistrate – District 2
1 - Henry D. Smith ------- 127
2 - Tim Tankersley ------- 233
3 - Mary Cavins ------- 25
4 - Robbie Belt ------- 500 (WINNER)
5 - Raymond Ray Dalton ------- 175

Magistrate – District 3
1 - Gregory Lakes ------- 91
2 - Vernon Johnson ------- 470
3 - Paul T. Alexander ------- 30
4 - Rex Tillery ------- 504 (WINNER)
5 - Wendell Frye ----- 42

Sheriff
1 - Daniel Isaacs - unopposed
Constable – District 1
1 - William W.O. Jones ------- 189
2 - Johnny Peters ------- 765 (WINNER)

Constable – District 2
1 - Steve Gill - unopposed

Constable – District 3
1 - Billy Ray Isaacs ------- 410
2 - Ben Davidson ------- 614 (WINNER)

County Attorney
1 - Ross Edward Murray - unopposed

County Clerk
1 - Donald Duck Moore - unopposed

Jailer
1 - Brian Gabbard - unopposed

Coroner
1 - Conley Tyra - unopposed

PVA
1 - Bobby S. Edwards - unopposed