Election Report
1993 General Election

November, 1993 Term

The Fayette County Grand Jury for the November, 1993 term met on November 15, 1993 to accept reports required to be made to it under KRS 117.355, 117.365, and 119.305. On November 30, 1993, the Grand Jury again convened as required by law and accepted written reports from the County Clerk and the Board of Elections. On November 15, the Grand Jury took testimony from the Fayette County Clerk's Office and reviewed additional material submitted. Both the report of the County Board of Elections and the general report of the County Clerk indicate that major problems in the 1993 General Election were rare. Very few forms were incorrectly executed compared to previous elections. This results from actions taken by the County Clerk and Board of Elections to correct problems experienced in the past, as well as additional training given to precinct officers.

VOTE FRAUD

No reports of vote fraud were received. The Attorney General's Election Task Force had no reports of fraud in this county.

OTHER REPORTS

In addition to the testimony of Deputy County Clerk Kitty Ware, the Grand Jury received a written report from County Clerk Don Blevins and written reports from the Board of Elections and Sheriff Harold Buchignani. Mr. Blevins brought with her a written report on voter assistance forms as well as copies of all the forms.

The Grand Jury has also had presented to it all applications for absentee ballots and oaths of voter (identification). Also received were the election day incident reports from the County Clerk's Office and the Board of Elections, applications for medical emergency special ballots, and all precinct election sheriff's reports. Testimony was also received from Deputy County Clerk Sandy Turner and Election Sheriff Gale Havens.

ABUSE OF ELECTION OFFICERS

Testimony was received and an indictment for Disorderly Conduct was returned because of an incident in which a voter was loud and abusive at the polls.

UNQUALIFIED VOTERS

There were two individuals who voted in violation of KRS 119.165(2). These voters had moved and had not changed their addresses. They were told by the clerk's office that the Grand Jury would be informed if they voted in violation of the statute. The Grand Jury indicted both individuals.

BLOCKING POLLING PLACE

An election sheriff reported that Secretary of State Bob Babbage gave an interview to local television stations which blocked the voters' access to the polls and would not move when requested to do so by election officers. A letter from Mr. Babbage acknowledging the problem is attached. Public officials and the media should not engage in any activity which hinders voter access to the polls. The Grand Jury is confident that there will be no recurrence of this problem.

SUMMARY

The Grand Jury notes no major problems with the 1993 General Election and commends the County Clerk, the Board of Elections, and all people who gave of their time on Election Day to serve as precinct officers.

FOREPERSON, FAYETTE COUNTY GRAND JURY