Residents urge Hopkinsville to consider nonpartisan ballots and restore voting access for independents

Two residents used the public‑comment period on Oct. 21 to urge Hopkinsville City Council to change local election rules so more residents — particularly the 6,837 people the speaker said are registered as independents — can participate in city contests.

Alvia Littleton (speaking from Oak Grove) said she was confused by Hopkinsville’s ward and at‑large procedures and that many voters do not understand how the primary and general election processes interact. Bonnie Lynch said Hopkinsville’s ordinance prevents voters registered as independent or "other" from participating in the local primary and urged council to amend the ordinance, remove party labels from city ballots and move to nonpartisan local elections. Lynch cited figures she said showed 6,837 Hopkinsville residents registered as independents and reported that only 1,732 of them voted in the most recent general election.

Lynch suggested nonpartisan elections could increase turnout and broaden candidate pools, and said she and another resident had researched other Kentucky cities that have moved to nonpartisan local elections. Both speakers distributed information to council and asked city officials to consider drafting ordinance language; the speakers did not present a formal petition or an introduced ordinance at the meeting.

Council thanked the speakers; no council motion or vote on election rules occurred during the session. Staff and council members indicated the topic would likely require ordinance drafting and additional public discussion before any change.