HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Christian County Clerks Office was busy going over the numbers for the Nov. 5 general election for nearly two hours after the polls closed. With just over 52,000 registered voters in the county, posted results show that a total of 21,794 ballots were cast during the combined absentee voting, early voting, and Election Day period.

In regard to the highly contested Presidential race, 14,332 ballots were cast for Donald Trump in Christian County, with 7,055 for Kamala Harris.

“Every time you cast your ballot, you are part of history,” said Melinda Humphries, the county clerk for Christian County. Humphries has been involved in about 40 elections since 2001 and said she still thoroughly enjoys the process. Just hours after the polls closed, she told Christian County Now that this year’s general election went very well on the back end of things, mostly because of extensive preparation and the patience of voters.

“It was really good to see that we had a lot of positive feedback,” said Humphries. “We just want to make sure we have the best experience possible for our voters.” While the results posted by the county are listed as the unofficial results, Humphries wants to assure votes that the local election numbers are not likely to change as the remaining provisional ballots are approved or denied.

The only hitch voters may have noticed in Christian County was slightly longer wait times at the 13 polling locations. Humphries said this was due to the ballot being much longer than usual. The two-sided ballot featured dozens of city council candidates and two lengthy amendments. Machines were slower to print the long ballots, but voters maintained their place in lines and patiently waited.

“The hardest thing is anticipating, you have to think about the unexpected and every year is different,” added Humphries.

In the partisan Hopkinsville City Council race, Republican candidates swept the ballot. Vance Smith, Louis Sumner, Brittanie Bogard, Michael Velez, and Elizabeth Draude were victorious in the tight race. Joining the Christian County Public School Board of Education is Erin Westerfield, Ambrea Watkins, and Rebecca Pepper. Just over 900 votes were cast for Crofton City Council seats, with a significant turnout also in Oak Grove as residents cast 3,700 votes for city council.

Election results: Votes are in as Christian County casts ballots for president, City Council, school board, state representative