LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Across Kentucky restaurants, brewers and wineries are partnering with the Secretary of State to recruit poll workers.

What You Need To Know

  • Breweries, wineries and restaurants will help recruit poll workers

  • Secretary of State Michael Adams, R-Ky., has worked with various hospitality associations over the past four years

  • Customers will see flyers and table stands asking for volunteers

With every pour and serve, Louisville local breweries are trying to get the word out that poll workers are needed. Director of operations at Against the Grain Jason Smith said this isn’t the first time his group has been part of this initiative. Against the Grain helped recruit poll workers in 2020 and are excited to be a part of it again. 

“We’re just out there promoting advertising," Smith said. "You’ll find hangers with your codes on our beer cans and stores around the Louisville area that people can go to and they can sign up to be a poll worker. It’s important to have those and especially in big election years." 

The Kentucky Guild of Brewers, The Kentucky Wineries Association, and The Kentucky Restaurant Association have united with the Secretary of State to encourage people to volunteer as poll workers.

A new Louisville brewery, Trellis, has joined in on the recruitment efforts. Founder Kyle Jahn said it is happy to support.

“We recently had [a] voter registration event we held, and we’d love to help however we can,” Jahn said.

Customers Chris Sonntag and Michael Beringer said they are pleased to see local organizations encouraging the community to volunteer at the polls.

“There is a need for poll workers; right now is a very important time,” Sontag said.

“People need to get out and vote and that there are people there to count the votes and make sure everything goes smoothly," Beringer said. "And I think it’s important it a good idea that these restaurants and breweries realize that, that their patrons they want, they want an honest and fair election." 

Smith said this is all to increase poll worker registration and voter turnout.

“Well, like I always say, high tide raises all boats," Smith said. "When we all get together and push behind the same initiative, it really helps get that word out there and increase awareness and let people know that there is a need out there that they can assist." 

Anyone interested in becoming a poll worker can go to the Secretary of State’s office.

Participating breweries so far are:

• Against the Grain, 401 E. Main Street, Louisville, KY 40202

• Butchertown Brewery, 1860 Mellwood Ave #187, Louisville, KY 40206

• Dreaming Creek Brewery, 109 E. Irvine Street, Richmond, KY 40475

• Trellis Brewery, 827 Logan Street, Louisville, KY 40204

• White Squirrel Brewery, 302 State Street, Bowling Green, KY 42101

• Wise Bird Cider Co., 1170 Manchester Street, Suite 140, Lexington, KY 40508

Participating wineries so far are:

• Boucherie Winery, 6523 Keyway Drive, Spottsville, KY 42458

• Carriage House Vineyards, 259 Longview Lane, Auburn, KY 42206

• Ghost Fox Winery, 2385 Chrisman Mill Rd., Nicholasville, KY 40356

Participating restaurants so far are:

• Ciao Restaurant, 1201 Payne Street, Louisville, KY 40204

• Ramsey’s Diners, all Lexington locations

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