Polls have closed in the eastern half of Kentucky, where voters were deciding whether Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear deserves a second term and who will fill a handful of other statewide positions.

The polls remain open until 6 p.m. CST Tuesday in the central time zone, which covers much of the western half of the state.

Secretary of State Elaine Walker predicted about 25 percent turnout, down from the 37.8 percent of registered voters who cast a ballot in 2007, despite the best efforts of candidates who have been trying to drum up support across the state.

A record 2,944,603 people were registered to vote in Kentucky this year. Just more than 26,000 people had voted early using absentee ballots as of Monday.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)