“OTHER” VOTER REGISTRATION JUMPS IN FEBRUARY
Most New Voters Ditching Political Parties Before Primary Election
Frankfort, Ky. (March 6, 2026) – Secretary of State Michael Adams announced that, leading up to the May 19 primary election, most new voters registering in February rejected the two major parties. Of 2,606 net new registrants, nearly two-thirds registered under other political affiliations (mostly Independent).
“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: 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 constitutes 48 percent of the electorate, with 1,604,469 voters. Republican registration grew by 1,174 voters, a .07 percent increase. 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 registered under other political affiliations (mostly independent), making up 11 percent of the electorate. “Other” registration rose by 1,693, a .45 percent increase.
