(LEX 18) — The 2020 election is underway in Kentucky!
Throughout the evening, LEX 18 will be updating this live blog with the latest election information throughout Kentucky, including the 2020 presidential election, Kentucky's Senate race, and other local elections.
The polls are now closed. LEX 18 News and NBC News will be providing their election coverage throughout the night on TV. LEX 18 News will also be streaming throughout the night on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Android TV.
Click here to see the latest results.
3:10 a.m. -- Joe Biden has 238 Electoral College votes; Donald Trump has 213, based on Associated Press projections.
10:06 p.m. -- Democrat Amy McGrath, Senator McConnell's challenger, issued the following concession on Twitter:
I’m so proud of what this grassroots campaign achieved. This race was never about me - or Mitch McConnell - it was about Kentuckians. The legacy of this campaign will be that we don’t have to accept politics as usual. I look forward to building a better future for Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/SHlweJof1I
— Amy McGrath (@AmyMcGrathKY) November 4, 2020
9:57 p.m.
9:40 p.m.
Hicks has released a statement congratulating Barr on winning the race. Hicks says his campaign has been one “of, and by, and for regular folks.” Expecting to hear from Barr on FB live soon. @LEX18News
— Mike Valente (@ValenteLEX18) November 4, 2020
9:13 p.m. -- Amendment to expand judicial terms in Kentucky fails, LEX 18 projects
8:48 p.m.
The coronavirus is a big topic in McConnell’s victory speech tonight.
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) November 4, 2020
“My fellow Americans, our country will get back on its feet.”
“My fellow Kentuckians, you’ve given me the honor of a lifetime.” @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/ARX7ocNTbB
8:46 p.m.
McConnell says his opponent, Amy McGrath, ran a spirited race and stood up for her views.
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) November 4, 2020
“I applaud her willingness to step forward.” @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/9yUvqgsevZ
8:43 p.m.
“The trust of the people of Kentucky has literally changed my life.”
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) November 4, 2020
McConnell thanks his supporters for delivering him another victory. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/BrpeOQjeVw
8:40 p.m.
Sen. Mitch McConnell takes the stage to deliver his victory speech after winning a seventh term in the U.S. Senate. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/fnCiS4h7uD
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) November 4, 2020
8:24 p.m.
This year, @LEX18News Election HQ satellite offices are the streets of downtown Lexington. Me, @ValenteLEX18, @KCollinsWLEX and @modularkid are all here! pic.twitter.com/uIVvzUsNXZ
— Conroy Delouche (@ConroyDelouche) November 4, 2020
8:13 p.m. -- Congressman Andy Barr wins 6th District race, LEX 18 projects
8:12 p.m.
Just in: @LEX18News is projecting that Congressman Andy Barr (R) has retained his seat for a fifth term, beating Democratic challenger and Marine veteran Josh Hicks.
— Mike Valente (@ValenteLEX18) November 4, 2020
8:07 p.m. -- Marsy's Law, which will create constitutional rights for crime victims, passes in Kentucky, LEX 18 projects
7:57 p.m. -- Rep. Thomas Massie earns 5th term in Kentucky, AP projects
7:46 p.m. -- Sen. Mitch McConnell to win seventh Senate term, LEX 18 projects
7:09 p.m.
7:08 p.m. -- President Trump to win Kentucky, AP projects
6:41 p.m.
With 35% of precincts reporting, Hicks has a 58-41% lead over Barr in the race. @LEX18News
— Mike Valente (@ValenteLEX18) November 3, 2020
6:37 p.m.
Absentee ballots being counted with super fast speed at the Fayette Co Clerks Office.
— Leigh Searcy (@LSearcLex) November 3, 2020
How fast? 84k ballots in 15 minutes. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/b8YHuQXlNb
6:35 p.m.
Over the years, McConnell has defeated six opponents for his U.S. Senate seat. He’s hoping that number becomes seven tonight.
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) November 3, 2020
So how’s he feeling? Last week he told me: “I’m confident that I’m going to be successful.”@LEX18News pic.twitter.com/XCEuV1UW8A
6:34 p.m.
It’s after 6:00 in #Kentucky which means the polls are officially closed!
— Claire Kopsky (@ClaireMKopsky) November 3, 2020
Check out the line at the Lexington Senior Center right now. Poll workers tell me at least 1,300 residents have voted here already today. @LEX18News #ElectionDay #Vote2020 pic.twitter.com/rjXfP07N9H
6:23 p.m.
Normally, this would be a celebratory evening with supporters in a big ballroom. This year, it’s just news crews and the stage McConnell will speak from tonight. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/gU7DW4979D
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) November 3, 2020
6:20 p.m.
6:18 p.m.
I’m at the Team Mitch “viewing party” this election night. And well, there is no party because of the coronavirus.
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) November 3, 2020
No supporters here tonight. Just reporters and cameras crews.
We’re told Sen. Mitch McConnell will speak within an hour of the race being called. @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/h9q88gNX3K
5:56 p.m.
5 minutes left to get in line to vote and there’s a decent crowd here at the Dunbar Community Center. pic.twitter.com/vglJoaes22
— Claire Crouch (@clairecrouch) November 3, 2020
5:56 p.m.
Polls in most of KY closing in next 5 minutes.We’ll be watching results in Barr/Hicks race as they come in. @barrforcongress is hoping to retain his seat for a fifth term, while @joshhicksky is hoping to be the first Democratic candidate elected in the 6th since 2010. @LEX18News
— Mike Valente (@ValenteLEX18) November 3, 2020
5:56 p.m.
McGrath: we want a return to competence, to decency, to respect for others, and to a servant leader. Says this is her hope, and why she ran @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/1ckozB8PuZ
— Conroy Delouche (@ConroyDelouche) November 3, 2020
5:54 p.m.
🗳Stick with @LEX18News & @NBCNews all night for the latest results here in the #Commonwealth and across the country.
— Claire Kopsky (@ClaireMKopsky) November 3, 2020
If you’ve cut the cord, no worries! Check out our #streaming options down below! ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/e9G79o0efh
5:45 p.m.
The Democratic candidate is off the plane, and first people she greets are her kids. Should be hearing from McGrath shortly @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/40IQfyMUcl
— Conroy Delouche (@ConroyDelouche) November 3, 2020
5:36 p.m.
Just a few minutes after 5:30, Senate hopeful Amy McGrath has landed @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/sgV0n9kBcq
— Conroy Delouche (@ConroyDelouche) November 3, 2020
5:17 p.m.
Love the purple, @bobbabbage Count on Bob and @LEX18News for the best #Decision2020 coverage. pic.twitter.com/dSzqmqVpra
— Nancy Cox (@NancyCoxLex18) November 3, 2020
5:10 p.m. -- Anderson County Clerk Jason Denny says the last time there was a record-breaking voter outcome in the county was in 2008, when Barack Obama and John McCain ran in the presidential election. The outcome in Anderson county was 68%. As of 5:00 p.m., Anderson County is at a 70% voter turnout.
4:38 p.m. -- The State Board of Elections says 1,024,954 in-person votes were cast prior to Election Day. 590,282 of 653,620 absentee ballots were returned as of Monday.
BREAKDOWN BY PARTY:
— Karolina Buczek (@Karolina_Buczek) November 3, 2020
Democrats:
400,260 in-person early votes cast.
383,919 of 420,543 absentee ballots returned.
Republicans:
561,369 in-person early votes cast.
167,850 of 187,556 absented ballots returned.
Numbers are as of Monday night.
4:30 p.m.
We are at the Georgetown-Scott Co Airport where @AmyMcGrathKY is expected to land around 5:30 after her last stop. We’ll see you on @LEX18News pic.twitter.com/NKl2tvH9JI
— Conroy Delouche (@ConroyDelouche) November 3, 2020
4:20 p.m.
So far, 7,400 people have voted in Lexington today at the polls. Fayette Co Clerk Don Blevins projected 10k early on, but isn't sure the county will hit that mark. Long lines continue at the Tates Creek Library, but at most other locations you can walk in, no wait. @LEX18News https://t.co/PZor2rO7RX
— Leigh Searcy (@LSearcLex) November 3, 2020
2:36 p.m.
Just hashing things out on a regular Tuesday with @KYSecState join us @LEX18News for LIVE coverage and parts of our interview. #Vote2020 pic.twitter.com/bhLNzce8PM
— Michael Berk (@LEX18_Michael) November 3, 2020
1:15 p.m.
Latest #FayetteCoVoter Numbers: 5,400 people and counting as of 1:15pm. County Clerk Don Blevins says voting is going smoothly at all 8 locations, zero reports of anyone causing problems. @LEX18News https://t.co/cU0rOKHV9v
— Leigh Searcy (@LSearcLex) November 3, 2020
12:11 p.m.
Anderson County Clerk Jason Denny says, they have a 66% voter turnout. @LEX18News
— Jacqueline Nie (@JacquelineMNie) November 3, 2020
📌Absentee ballots - 2613
📌Monday drive thru voters - 1263
📌Voted today (12pm) - 300 drive thru, 500 walk thru
📌6.5% voted yesterday
📌18,800 registered in the county total pic.twitter.com/iFnL7c73P1
11:58 a.m.
As of now, Fayette County Clerk Don Blevins says 4,400 people have voted at Lexington polls today. Tates Creek and Beaumont libraries with longest lines, but says other polling sites have little to no line. @LEX18News https://t.co/rjjXEq5Ovf
— Conroy Delouche (@ConroyDelouche) November 3, 2020
11:19 a.m.
Democratic US Senate candidate Amy McGrath is flying across the state today, reminding people to get out and vote. She says she's optimistic about the high turnout so far. She spoke with @LEX18News before taking off from Lexington. More throughout the day, starting at noon pic.twitter.com/Xq1zsMDEkF
— Conroy Delouche (@ConroyDelouche) November 3, 2020
