HOW TO VOTE

• Go to Web site. • Stop at a state welcome center, resort park or tourist attraction and submit a ballot. • Mail your vote to Brand Kentucky, Kentucky State Capitol, 700 Capital Ave., Frankfort, KY 40601.

But in this one, the public is being asked to help improve the state's overall image rather than just putting a politician in an office here and there.

Gov. Ernie Fletcher announced Tuesday that people can vote on a new slogan and logo for Kentucky as part of an overall effort to improve the branding of the state.

"Our hope is that Kentuckians will get involved and vote for the brand that best represents our state and our vision," Fletcher said during the Kentucky Tourism Industry Annual Conference.

The Northern Kentucky Convention Center was the site of the event.

"Our intent in involving the public in the decision-making process goes back to our unifying theme - one state, one vision, one brand," Fletcher said. "We can't accomplish that without hearing from the people of Kentucky."

One slogan will be eliminated each week beginning the first week of November. The first voting cycle ends Nov. 5, the second Nov. 12 and the third on Nov. 21. The new brand is scheduled to be announced Nov. 24.

Residents and non-residents are encouraged to vote, but Fletcher asked that people cast only one vote.

The overall effort is to improve tourism by marketing the state nationally and internationally, Fletcher said. Tourism is a $9 billion-a-year industry, he said.

Earlier efforts by his administration have included improvements to the state parks Internet reservation system and dedicating money to advertising, Fletcher said.

State Sen. Katie Stine, R-Fort Thomas, who chairs the Senate Tourism and Economic Development Committee, applauded the changes, particularly those of the Commerce Cabinet.

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com