Six Counties Selected for Post-Primary Election Audits

Counties include Bourbon, Carter, Fleming, Marion, Muhlenberg and Scott

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 10, 2019) – DeputyAttorney General J. Michael Brown today announced the six Kentucky counties randomly drawn to undergo post-primary election audits.

By law, the Office of the Attorney General has jurisdiction to investigate and prosecute election law violations and is required to conduct postelection audits in no fewer than 5 percent of Kentucky’s counties following each primary and general election.

At the state Capitol today, Brown held a public drawing and selected Bourbon, Carter, Fleming, Marion, Muhlenberg and Scott counties. The selection of counties does not imply irregularities are suspected.

“Our office continually works with state and federal partners to protect Kentuckians’ right to cast their ballots free of intimidation and interference,” said Brown. “Postelection audits help us ensure any potential wrongdoing or irregularities that may have occurred during the May 21 primary election are identified and investigated by sworn law enforcement investigators.”

To guarantee a fair and equitable election process, following each election, investigators within the Department of Criminal Investigations perform the routine audits, which include checking election forms and interviewing county officials. After conducting inquiries, prosecutors in the Office of Special Prosecutions present the results to the respective grand juries.

In addition to the audits, the office provides an Election Law Violation hotline – 800-328-VOTE (8683) – throughout the year and has investigators stationed throughout the state on Election Day to respond to complaints quickly.

The office also coordinates election monitoring with the State Board of Elections, the Secretary of State’s Office, Kentucky State Police, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI. Office of Attorney General staff review complaints and, when appropriate, refers them for further action.

In this election cycle, the office’s Election Law Violations hotline received 60 election complaints from 32 counties, and one complaint is still under review by the Department of Criminal Investigations. By law, the office cannot provide details regarding specific complaints or possible pending investigations.


“Any allegations of election fraud will be pursued and those in violation of the law will be held accountable,” Brown said.

The office recently concluded post-2018 general election audits of Breathitt, Grayson, Greenup, McCreary, Washington and Webster counties. The audits showed no potential criminal activity.

Postelection audits of Bullitt, Jessamine, Owen, Powell, Rowan and Scott counties from the May 22, 2018 primary also showed no potential criminal activity.


There were no statewide elections in 2017. No irregularities were found in the postelection audits for the 2016 primary and general elections.

In 2018, a section of the Office of the Attorney General was dedicated to monitor and challenge any unconstitutional laws passed in Kentucky that could disenfranchise voters across the state.

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