FRANKFORT, Ky., Oct. 25, 2021 – Residents who want to run in the special election for the office of circuit court clerk next year have until Nov. 29 to register for the exam they must pass to get on the ballot. The exam is for potential circuit clerk candidates in Ballard, Henry, Hickman, Lincoln, Owsley, Trigg and Woodford counties. The Administrative Office of the Courts will administer the exam Dec. 1 in Frankfort.
Voters will elect a new circuit clerk for each of the seven counties in November 2022 to fill the unexpired terms of circuit clerks who retired this year. The new circuit clerks will be elected to serve until the end of 2024, when the regular election for all 120 circuit court clerks will take place.
Potential candidates must score at least 70% on the exam to qualify to be on the ballot. The exam covers general knowledge in reading, math and language, and specific knowledge about circuit court clerk operations and Judicial Branch policies.
To get more information and register for the exam, visit https://kycourts.gov/Courts/County-Information/Pages/Clerks-Exam.aspx.
Circuit Court Clerks
Circuit court clerks are responsible for managing the records of Kentucky’s Circuit and District courts. Circuit clerks are constitutionally elected officials from all 120 counties and serve a six-year term. They provide professional recordkeeping, receive money due the courts, pay money to required parties and to the state, record legal documents, provide legal documents and other legal materials, maintain the jury system, administer oaths and handle affidavits.
Administrative Office of the Courts
The AOC is the operations arm for the state court system and supports the activities of nearly 3,300 employees and 406 elected justices, judges and circuit court clerks. The AOC also executes the Judicial Branch budget.
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