Want to switch parties for Kentucky primary? Do it by Dec. 31

Kentucky voters who wish to vote in another party’s primary in the 2019 elections must change their registration no later than Dec. 31, 2018, Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes is reminding Kentuckians.

“Next year, Kentuckians will go to the polls to elect statewide officers, including governor and lieutenant governor,” said Grimes, Kentucky’s chief election official. “This is an important deadline if you are considering a party affiliation change and want to participate in next year’s May primary.”

May 21, 2019, is Kentucky’s primary day.

With Gov. Matt Bevin running for re-election, other Republican candidates have not emerged thus far.

Two Democratic candidates are running for governor next year, Attorney General Andy Beshear and Kentucky House Minority Leader Rocky Adkins. Both led Bevin in Mason-Dixon’s polling this week. Beshear led by 8 percentage points, 48 percent to 40 percent while Adkins led by only 1 percentage point, 42 percent to 41 percent. 

Voters can change or update their registration at Kentucky’s one-stop online voter portal, GoVoteKY.com.

Under Kentucky law, to be qualified to vote in a partisan Primary Election, a voter must have been a member of that party on Dec. 31 of the prior year or a new voter who has not changed their affiliation. Voters who change party affiliation after the Dec. 31 deadline are not eligible to vote in partisan races in the Primary Election.

The Dec. 31 deadline also affects prospective candidates in the 2019 elections. To be qualified as a party or independent candidate in a regular election, a candidate’s registration status generally must be established by Dec. 31 of the prior year, per Kentucky law.

Voters can verify their current registration status at GoVoteKY.com. To change party affiliation, voters may make the change on the online portal, or complete a voter registration card and return it to their county clerk. Registration forms are available at county clerks’ offices.

Registration forms submitted by mail, in person, or electronically must be received by the county clerk by Dec. 31. Individuals who prefer to make the change in person should check with their county clerks’ offices regarding hours of operation during the holiday season.

By Nancy Daly
The Kentucky Enquirer