FRANKFORT (Kentucky Today) – Secretary of State Michael Adams has announced that leading up to the May 19 primary election 9,839 new voters were added to the rolls, the biggest surge since the month of the 2024 presidential election.
“I’m heartened by the recent interest in voting this year for Congress, the General Assembly, judges, county offices, city offices, school boards, and at least one constitutional amendment,” Adams said.
In March, net registration rose by 4,042 voters, while being offset by 5,797 voters who were removed: 4,697 who have died, 493 with felony convictions, 447 who moved out of state, 60 who were adjudged mentally incompetent, 51 duplicate registrations, 39 voters who voluntarily de-registered, and 10 identified as non-citizens.
Republican registration constitutes 48 percent of the electorate, with 1,606,995 voters. Republican registration grew by 2,526 voters, a .16 percent increase. Democratic registration accounts for 41 percent of the electorate, with 1,373,369 voters. Democratic registration fell by 626, a .05 percent decrease. There are 378,272 voters registered under other political affiliations (mostly independent), making up 11 percent of the electorate. “Other” registration rose by 2,071, a .55 percent increase, easily beating the two major political parties.
2026 will see the all-important mid-term election, where voters will have plenty of races where they can voice their choices. Among them, the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Mitch McConnell of Louisville. The 83-year-old has been in that office since 1985 and is the longest serving U.S. Senator in Kentucky history. He has announced he is not seeking an eighth term.
In addition, Kentucky’s six Congressional seats, all 100 in the Kentucky House and the even-numbered state Senate districts, will also appear on the ballot in 2026. In addition, there will be many city and county races.
While the primary election itself will be May 19, there will be three days of early in-person voting on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (May 14-16) prior to Election Day. Check with your local county clerk’s office to find the early voting locations in your area.
The deadline to register to vote in the primary is April 20.
