Polls at UK's Newman Center

This news story was originally written for publishing on Nov. 8, 2022. Election results can be found here.

Polls were active yesterday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Newman Center on the University of Kentucky's campus, giving students the chance to voice their opinions for the 2022 midterm election.

Students lined up at the Newman Center on Rose Lane to cast their votes in this year's midterm election. While it's only the midterm election, meaning no presidential candidates were on the ballot, there were still many important decisions to be made by locals and students.

Perhaps the two biggest spots on the ballot were the Kentucky senate race between Paul Rand (R) and Charles Booker (D), along with the second amendment to the Kentucky constitution meant to remove the right to abortion.

Jennifer Bird-Pollan, a professor at UK’s College of Law, was one of four election officials at the Newman Center. This is Bird-Pollan’s second election; she has worked as an official following the primary election this past May.

“(Having a polling location on campus) helps make it possible and easier for students, especially those not from Kentucky, to vote on important topics,” Bird-Pollan said. “Students should come vote because these issues reflect directly on their life while in Lexington.”

After closing, the votes from students and locals at The Newman Center are submitted and counted. Thousands of Kentuckians are now patiently waiting to hear the results from this year's midterm election to see how their lives could be changed in the upcoming years.

"Go vote," said junior Star Watts. "It only takes five minutes, and it can make a big change in our lives."

Bird-Pollan said that more students need to head to the polls.

“[These issues being voted on] have consequences that are long-lasting and could be influencing our lives for the next five, 10 and even 20 years," she said.