OLDHAM COUNTY, Ky. (WDRB) — Hundreds of Oldham County residents recently received a letter from the state saying they do not physically live in the county where they are registered to vote.
The letter, dated July 28 from the Kentucky State Board of Elections, said, in part, "your place of habitation is not physically in the county where you were previously registered to vote."
It goes on to tell recipients they will now be registered to vote in Jefferson County.
Oldham County isn't the only county affected. Eleven voters in Hardin County, two in Spencer County and 67 in Bullitt County also received letters saying they live in Jefferson County.
Jennifer Hill, one of 211 Oldham County residents who received the letter, said she chose to live in Oldham County for its schools and services.
"People base one of the biggest financial decisions of their entire life based on what county they choose to live," Hill said.
But residents like Robert Weis said their concerns go far beyond where they cast their ballots.
"This will affect schools, taxes, police and fire and everything else," Weis said.
The change stems from a state law passed several years ago.
The Jefferson County Clerk's office said it is following a 2022 state law that requires all state agencies to use the same mapping software.
"The lines didn't change. The technology got better," said Jefferson County Clerk David Yates. "The technology got better."
In another statement, the Jefferson County Clerk's office said the State Board of Elections is "adhering to legislation" and implementing the results of the mapping audits.
The clerk's office also said, in part, that it is filing a declaratory action in state court to "promptly resolve any legal disputes" and give affected residents a place to challenge the findings.
"Recognizing that disagreements exist regarding the findings, we are filing a declaratory action in state court to promptly resolve any legal disputes and provide a formal forum for all aggrieved parties to address their concerns," the statement said.
But for Hill and her neighbors, the mapping change has real consequences. They will vote for different candidates in the general election than they did in the primary.
Hill said the mapping update should not override existing records without further review.
"A new computer-generated map should not override decades of deeds, tax records, election records, and other official documents without a thorough investigation and transparent legal process," Hill said.
The changes also caught some Oldham County leaders by surprise, including Judge-Executive David Voegele.
"That fell out of the sky on us," Voegele said. "It was certainly poorly handled as far as I'm concerned."
Oldham County Magistrate Chris Haunz, who represents District 5, also questioned the timing of the change.
"Why did it take four years?" Haunz said. "These people have been living in these houses for over 50 years."
For Hill, one of the biggest questions is what happens next for her family. She said she wants her child to remain in Oldham County schools through their senior year.
County leaders said they do not yet have answers on what the change will mean for where residents pay taxes, what county services they receive, or where their children attend school.
"It's too early to tell," Haunz said. "There are a lot of people working on this issue in Frankfort."
Kentucky has dealt with a similar county line dispute before.
In October 2024, a state audit found about 240 residents who thought they lived and voted in Spencer County actually belonged in Shelby County. It was put on the ballot and 68% of Shelby County voters checked "no" to the question asking if they will "surrender" approximately 925 acres to Spencer County.
State Rep. James Tipton, R-Taylorsville, said the 2024 change caused confusion.
"In the 2024 primary, I had around 200 constituents," Tipton said. "Three weeks before the primary, they received notice they no longer lived in Spencer County. It caused a lot of confusion."
As state and county officials work to sort out the latest dispute, Hill said she hopes one thing doesn't change.
"I bought my home in Oldham County," Hill said. "And I want that to be my forever county home."
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