FRANKFORT, Ky. — The District 29 state Senate seat will be decided by write-in votes, according to the office of Secretary of State Michael Adams, R-Ky.

The seat is vacant after state Sen. Johnnie Turner, R-Harlan, died on Oct. 23 from injuries sustained in a lawn mowing accident in September. He was running unopposed after an independent challenger, David Suhr, withdrew from the race on Oct. 15.

James Tyler Ward is a write-in candidate for Kentucky's District 29 state Senate seat. The seat was left open when Sen. Johnnie Turner died on Oct. 23, 2024. (Kentucky Bar Association)

According to the secretary of state’s office, citizens can file their intent to run as a write-in candidate until Friday, Oct. 25 at 4 p.m. The write-in candidate that receives the most votes will be elected.

While Turner’s name will still appear on the ballot, no votes for him will be counted.

As of Thursday morning, one person has filed as a write-in candidate for the seat: attorney James Tyler Ward II of Whitesburg.

The Kentucky Constitution has provisions regarding when vacancies for a state or local office will be filled by an appointment and when it will be filled by a special election. It states, “No person shall ever be appointed a member of the General Assembly, but vacancies therein may be filled at a special election, in such manner as may be provided by law.”

Excused in-person absentee voting is already underway in Kentucky and continues Oct. 25, 28, 29 and 30. No-excuse absentee voting takes place Thursday, Oct. 31 through Nov. 2, and the final chance to vote in Kentucky is Election Day on Nov. 5.