By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
In roughly two months Barren County residents will be asked to vote in the 2026 Primary Election.
The Primary Election is scheduled for May 19. County Clerk Helena Chase Birdwell shared the sample primary ballot with Glasgow News 1 on Friday, Feb. 27, giving voters their first comprehensive look at the races.
Kentucky has closed primaries, meaning only those people registered with the appropriate political party can vote. In Barren County’s case all Primary Elections are between Republican candidates, except in national races.
The Glasgow City Council race — which has a primary this year since 23 people have filed to run for the nine available council seats — is nonpartisan, so all registered voters within the city limits will be able to cast their vote for up to nine candidates.
While the primaries will decide the victor in the majority of races, such as the county judge-executive, jailer, sheriff, and numerous magistrate races, the city council primary will take the 23 candidates down to 18, who will then be voted on during the November General Election. The Glasgow, Cave City and Park City mayor, each governments’ legislative bodies, and school board races will also be on the General Election ballot.
Birdwell said that Charley Bunch, who initially filed to run for magistrate in District 3 against incumbent Tim Durham and Daniel Turner, did withdraw, but did so “after the ballot prep had already been accepted.”
Key Facts
– Barren County’s 2026 primary election is scheduled for May 19, according to the Kentucky Election Calendar.
– County Clerk Helena Chase Birdwell has released the sample primary ballot.
– Kentucky has closed primaries, limiting voters to their registered party’s contests.
– In Barren County, all local primary races are between Republican candidates, except in national races.
– Glasgow City Council will hold a nonpartisan primary with 23 candidates running for nine seats.
– All registered voters within Glasgow city limits can vote for up to nine city council candidates.
– Most county offices, including judge-executive, jailer, sheriff and magistrate seats, will be decided in the primary.
– The city council primary will narrow the field from 23 to 18 for the November general election.
– Mayor, legislative body and school board races in Glasgow, Cave City and Park City will be on the November ballot.
