By McKenna Horsley
Kentucky Lantern
October 2, 2026
More than 12,000 Kentuckians registered to vote in September — weeks ahead of midterm elections.
Republican Secretary of State Michael Adams’ office released the latest voter registration numbers Friday afternoon. The 12,380 new voters is the highest monthly total since 2024, which was a presidential election year.
The office said independent and third-party voters again out-paced Republicans and Democrats’ registrations.
“Polls across the country show tightening races. In Kentucky, too, voters who do not affiliate with Democrats or Republicans will decide whether Democrats or Republicans win our elections,” Adams said.
Kentucky has closed primaries, meaning independent and third-party voters do not vote in primaries, but they can vote in general elections. Adams has previously told the Kentucky Lantern he supports the idea to open the state’s primaries.
Last month, net registration rose by 7,323 with 5,057 voters removed for various reasons. Of those removed, 3,626 were deceased, 876 had felony conviction, 420 moved out of state, 39 were adjudged mentally incompetent, 61 were duplicate registrations and 35 voluntarily de-registered.
Overall, Republicans make up 48% of registered voters in Kentucky, or about 1.6 million voters. Democrats are 41% of voters, or 1.3 million. Other political affiliations, like independent, make up 11% of voters.
Monday, Oct. 5, is the last day to register to vote ahead of the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
You can register to vote at the this link.
Kentucky Lantern is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Linda Blackford for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com.
