Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams announced on Friday that leading up to the May 19 primary election, most new voters registering in February rejected the two major parties.
According to Adams, of 2,606 net new registrants, nearly two-thirds registered under other political affiliations, most of them as independents.
“Independents are out-registering Republicans and Democrats, leading up to party primaries in which Independents cannot vote,” Adams said. “It’s no wonder that both Republican and Democratic legislators are filing bills to open our primaries to Independents.”
In February, overall registration rose by 6,777 voters, while 4,171 voters were removed from the rolls: 3,476 who were deceased, 327 felony convicts, 237 who moved out of state, 63 adjudged mentally incompetent, 27 who voluntarily de-registered, 23 non-citizens, and 18 duplicate registrations.
Republican registration grew by 1,174 voters, a .07 percent increase from January.
Democratic registration accounts for 41 percent of the electorate, with 1,373,995 voters. Democratic registration fell by 261, a .02 percent decrease.
There are 376,201 voters now registered under other political affiliations (mostly independent), making up 11 percent of the electorate. “Other” registration rose by 1,693, a .45 percent increase.
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.
Secretary of State