Kentucky’s Secretary of State, Michael Adams, recently addressed a surprising wave of confusion among residents. Reports flooded in questioning closed polling places, prompting a clarifying message that sparked both amusement and concern across social media platforms.
Adams explained the simple, yet apparently overlooked, fact: Kentucky isn’t holding elections this year. The calls stemmed from voters attempting to cast ballots for races happening in other states – specifically, the mayoral election in New York City and the gubernatorial contest in Virginia.
2025 marks an “off-year” for elections, meaning only a select number of states and cities are holding local contests. New York City’s mayoral race is particularly noteworthy, featuring a diverse field including a Socialist candidate, a former governor running as an independent, and a Republican contender.
Virginia’s gubernatorial race is also drawing national attention, pitting the current Lieutenant Governor against a former Congresswoman in a closely watched battle for the state’s leadership. New Jersey adds another layer of intrigue with its own high-stakes gubernatorial showdown, where Republicans hope to turn a traditionally blue state red.
Kentucky voters, however, will need to wait until 2026 for the next major statewide elections, coinciding with the midterm cycle. The current situation highlighted a glaring gap in understanding basic civic processes for some residents.
Adams didn’t miss the opportunity to advocate for improved civic education, reiterating his long-standing call for a stronger emphasis on understanding how and when elections occur. His initial post quickly went viral, prompting a flurry of reactions.
Social media users responded with a mix of humor and genuine concern. One user likened Adams’ announcement to a sheriff warning against shooting into a tornado, while others echoed the need for better civics instruction.
The post even garnered attention from prominent figures in the media, with a news anchor praising it as the “best post so far today” and a political correspondent questioning the state of civic knowledge in the country. The conversation underscored a surprising level of confusion regarding election schedules and geographic boundaries.
Beyond the jokes, a thread of worry emerged, with some users expressing concern about the overall preparedness of the electorate. Others simply joked about the lack of polling place issues in Kentucky, given the absence of an election.
