Story by Lillie Nhep, Kinu Herthel, Oliver Wood-Morris and Lucy Coffey
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Bowling Green residents gathered at polling stations across the city to cast their votes in the 2024 election. Talisman reporters captured the action as voters participated in both the presidential and local races. Watch parties were held by mayoral candidates Todd Alcott and Patti Minter, while some Western Kentucky University students hosted their own event on campus to follow the election results.
Bowling Green rushes to the polls at State Street Baptist Church
Among the 14 polling stations that were open to voters until 6 p.m. was State Street Baptist Church. Polling employees and volunteers gathered behind the church to help Warren County residents cast their presidential votes.
“We’ve heard a lot of people say that this race is one where more people who have never voted before have come out to vote,” Warren County deputy clerk Bobbie Warren said.
Warren also said that by 9:30 a.m., over 100 people had voted at that location.
Re-running for commissioner in Bowling Green, Carlos Bailey, said he came to the church with his family to vote. He also said the lines seemed to get longer as the day went on.
“I’m feeling very optimistic about this year’s election,” Bailey said.
Bailey is a native Bowling Green resident and also attended Warren Central High School. He said that this is his second time running for Bowling Green Commission.
As a black man, Bailey said he feels an obligation to those who came before him to exercise his voting rights.
“I feel that it’s important that I vote to pay homage to those who fought for my right to vote during the civil rights movement,” Bailey said.
Emma Gilliam, a WKU graduate student from Bowling Green said that she liked that there was a variety of places in Bowling Green to vote.
“This is my first time voting and this election seems more exciting than the others because so many people like me, students in college, are voting for the first time,” Gilliam said.
She said that the voting process was easy for her and that the voting information that she needed was accessible.
Although her father works at Living Hope Baptist Church, another polling location in Bowling Green, she said State Street Baptist Church was more accessible for her.
“I hope that people come out to vote no matter who they’re voting for,” Gilliam said.
WKU students gather in the Mahurin Honors College to watch the presidential election
In the Honors 251 class, Citizen and Self, students are required to do a civic engagement project. To fulfill the requirement this year, freshmen Peyton Daugherty and Brennan Christmas decided to host the presidential election watch party.
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 8 p.m. students gathered at the Mahurin Honors College multipurpose room. There were desserts and popcorn set out for attendees as well as a map of the United States. Additionally, the states were colored depending on the most popular candidate in the state.
Daugherty and Christmas said that they have both been interested in politics for years. They said this election is very important to people for a multitude of reasons.
Christmas also said that he cast his vote with the economy in mind.
“Soon, I’ll be buying a house, and interest rates matter now,” Christmas said. “I care about people being able to access the things they need.”
Luke Phelps, a sophomore from Bardstown, Kentucky, said he has different priorities for this election.
He said abortion access, reducing taxes for the working class, and reducing the cost of housing are topics that are especially important to him.
“In terms of who they are as a person, they should represent true American values,” Phelps said.
Daugherty said she is hoping the outcome of this presidential election can lead to a peaceful and stable presidency.
“I don’t want the next four years to be full of hate, which is all I see from Trump,” Daugherty said.
Christmas said that although everyone who attended had different political views, they all had one thing in common, wanting to better the state of living.
“I care about the state of our country and how our future relies on everything,” Christmas said.
Mayoral Candidate Patti Minter fights to the end but comes up short
Patti Minter supporters and campaign staff gathered at the One Roof Event Space in Fountain Square Park, to await the results of the Bowling Green mayoral election.
Professor at Western Kentucky University and former Kentucky State Representative Patti Minter is a member of the Democratic Party. She ran for mayor against Todd Alcott, the Republican incumbent.
Michael Burke, who has lived in Bowling Green for 11 years, said Minter gained his vote due to the support she continuously gives to the working class.
“I work for General Motors, and was part of the United Auto Workers strike,” Burke said. “While we were on strike, Patti stood beside me, and she came to support the rights of the working class.”
Burke said he believes Bowling Green is in a pivotal moment of growth. He also believes Minter can provide support for the community.
“Patti has the values of Bowling Green in her blood,” Burke said. “It doesn’t matter what race, religion, creed, or who you are— she is in support.”
“I fell in love with the essence of Bowling Green and the community’s compassion after the tornadoes of 2021,” Burke said. “I feel Minter brings that emotion to her campaign.”
Jeanie Smith, a chair member of the Warren County Democratic Party, said that it becomes challenging to find engaged voters when the election coincides with the Presidential election.
“People are so tuned into the national election, and the news that surrounds it, but local elections matter,” Smith said.
Bowling Green resident, Lajahnni Von said his vote went to Patti Minter because of the work in the community she does, especially with the LGBTQ+ community and other marginalized groups.
“I see her in the community as I have with other members of her campaign,” Von said. “But I have not once seen the other side out in the community,”
Von said as a kid he did not understand the importance of voting because he did not think his voice mattered, but now he stays active to make sure his voice is heard.
“I hope to see more policies that benefit everyone, not just the special interest groups,” Von said.
Before the mayoral results came in, Justin Chaffin, the vice chair of the Warren County Democratic Party, said that Amendment Two was officially blocked out. This elicited cheers throughout the venue.
When the results came in, Smith began to announce that Minter did not win the mayoral race. She said Minter put up a fight and will continue to do so for the community.
City Commissioner Dana Beasley-Brown addressed the audience. She thanked everyone who supported her during her re-election as one of four city commissioners. She also reminded everyone of the ongoing challenges. Those challenges consist of affordable housing and equal living, which she intends to continue fighting for while in office.
Carlos Bailey, a City Commissioner, also stepped up to give thanks to everyone in his corner. He acknowledged those who were unable to make it to the end of the election process.
“I always tell my daughter that we need to make our footprints so deep that the next generation can run,” Bailey said.
Minter addressed the crowd and said, “You do not sing the praise of yourself, you sing the praise of others.” Afterward, she proceeded to praise her running mates and offered congratulations to Alcott.
“Hope will never be silent, nor will I,” Minter said.
Mayor Todd Alcott remains in office for another term
In a private room of the White Squirrel Brewery, members and supporters of Todd Alcott’s campaign gathered to watch the live results of the 2024 Bowling Green mayoral election.
Republican mayoral candidate Alcott was elected as mayor in 2020 and was up against Democratic candidate Patti Minter for re-election.
On Tuesday, Nov. 5, Alcott was officially re-elected as the mayor of Bowling Green. According to WBKO, Alcott won with 11,245 votes to 10,100 votes.
Semir Nailovic, an agent at Goosehead Insurance from Bowling Green, said that two months ago, he wasn’t registered to vote. However, after researching Alcott, he decided to register.
“I went to one of his speaking events and found out what he was doing for the community,” Nailovic said. “He’s proven that he’s not just saying things, he walks the walk.”
Nailovic also said that he believes Alcott can help build a stronger sense of community in the area because he’s from Bowling Green. He said that he believes Alcott is open and honest about everything.
“With Bowling Green expanding as fast as it is, we need communities to get together,” Nailovic said. “He’s one of us, and you know he’s going to do something about what you need.”
Janese Cleary, the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Don’s House of Comedy from Bowling Green said that Alcott always shows up for the community. She also said he is always supportive in everything he does.
“He’s just your hometown person that truly cares, and he truly supports the local businesses,” Cleary said. “I have a business that I’ve started, a comedy club here at White Squirrel, and he’s even emceed some of the shows for me.”
Nailovic said he was attending the campaign watch party to encourage fellow Bosnian community members to become involved in local politics.
“I’m hoping that me volunteering will start motivating the next generation and that they know that their voice matters,” Nailovic said.
In addition, Cleary said that she was attending the campaign gathering because Alcott has always shown up for the community.
“Alcott is always out there trying to go to all of the events,” Cleary said. “It’s our turn to support him in his life.”
As cheers erupted in the room, the results came in around 8 p.m. Alcott realized he had won the 2024 Bowling Green mayoral race.
Alcott proceeded to give a speech, in which he addressed his opponent, Patti Minter.
“You gave one heck of a fight, but we’ve got more,” Alcott said.