STANFORD — Lincoln County Clerk George Spoonamore confirmed Tuesday his office has received multiple calls from citizens inquiring about the possibility that candidates in local races are ineligible for the seats they are seeking in the upcoming general election because they do not meet residency requirements.
Spoonamore declined to specify which races or candidates the calls were in reference to. He said his office is not responsible for verifying that candidates meet eligibility requirements.
"It's our job when the papers are in to make sure they are signed," he said.
If someone wants to challenge the eligibility of a candidate, they must be eligible to vote for the candidate or a challenger for the same elected position, according to state law.
A person who wants to challenge a candidate's eligibility must bring their case before the county circuit court for summary proceedings.
There are different residency requirements for the various local seats up for grabs this election:
• Candidates for circuit court clerk and magistrate must be Kentucky residents for at least two years and residents of the county (and precinct for magistrates) where they are running for at least one year.
• Candidates for mayor, city council member and city commissioner must have lived in the city where they are running for at least one year.
• Candidates for school board positions must be Kentucky residents for at least three years and a registered voter in the district they are running to represent.
Spoonamore said the state defines a candidate's residency as "where you lay your head at night" and not necessarily by property owned by a candidate.
If a judge rules a candidate ineligible, he or she can be prevented from being elected, or removed from office if already elected, Spoonamore said.
