Garrison, Kentucky Public Records

Registration requires a Kentucky driver's license, Social Security number, or at least the last four digits of one. Residents can also register in person at the Clerk's Office or through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet when getting or renewing a license. As an unincorporated community, Garrison has no municipal elections for mayor or city council - there's simply no city government to elect. Instead, residents participate in Lewis County, Kentucky state, and federal elections. County positions like Judge/Executive, Sheriff, County Clerk, Jailer, Coroner, and Magistrates come up for election in regular cycles, usually during November general elections. The Lewis County Board of Education also holds school board elections. To locate their polling place, voters can use the Kentucky State Board of Elections lookup tool at https://www.sos.ky.gov/elections/pages/polling-locations.aspx or call the Lewis County Clerk at (606) 796-2573. Polling locations are assigned by precinct, and voters must show up at their designated spot on Election Day. Kentucky makes various election records available to the public. Voter registration lists can be purchased from the State Board of Elections, though individual information like addresses and birth dates stays protected. Campaign finance reports for state and local candidates are accessible through the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance at https://kref.ky.gov, where anyone can search contributions and spending by candidates and committees. After each election, the Lewis County Clerk publishes results by precinct, and the Secretary of State compiles them statewide. Candidate filings, ballot measures, and sample ballots are available from the Lewis County Clerk's office before elections. In the November 2024 presidential election, Lewis County saw roughly 67-70% voter turnout, with the county going heavily Republican, as most rural eastern Kentucky counties do. Precise turnout numbers can be obtained from the Lewis County Clerk or the Kentucky State Board of Elections website at https://elect.ky.gov. Looking toward the November 3, 2026 general election, voters here will face several significant races. Kentucky's U.S. Senate seat currently held by Mitch McConnell (Class II) isn't up in 2026; the state's other Senate seat (Class III) comes up in 2028. There's no gubernatorial race either, since the Governor and other constitutional officers were elected in 2023 for four-year terms. The 2026 ballot will feature all six U.S. House seats for Kentucky, including the district containing Lewis County (currently the 5th Congressional District, represented by Hal Rogers). The entire Kentucky House of Representatives (100 seats) and half the State Senate (19 of 38 seats) will be contested. County offices may also appear on the ballot depending on term expirations, potentially County Judge/Executive, Sheriff, County Clerk, and Magistrates. Kentucky allows absentee voting for voters meeting specific criteria: those absent from the county on Election Day, anyone ill or disabled, students temporarily living elsewhere, election workers assigned to another precinct, or those whose work hours prevent voting. Absentee ballot applications must be requested from the Lewis County Clerk's office and returned by the specified deadlines, typically by the Tuesday before the election for mailed ballots. Completed absentee ballots must arrive by 6:00 PM on Election Day to count. Early in-person voting runs from the Thursday before Election Day through the Saturday before (three days total) at a location designated by the Lewis County Clerk, usually the Clerk's office or courthouse. Kentucky has expanded these options in recent years, making it easier for working residents to participate.