# Most new Kentucky voters ditching major parties before May primary  
**Published:** 2026-03-06T14:26:48.000Z  
**Source:** [KY Secretary of State](https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=SOS&prId=558)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/most-new-kentucky-voters-ditching-major-parties-before-may-primary

FRANKFORT, Ky. — [Kentucky voters registered under other political affiliations in February at a pace exceeding new Republican and Democratic registrations](https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=SOS&prId=558), according to data released by Secretary of State Michael Adams.

[Of 2,606 net new voters who registered in February, nearly two-thirds chose independent or other affiliations rather than aligning with either major political party](https://www.lex18.com/news/state-of-the-commonwealth/most-new-kentucky-voters-in-february-registered-as-independent-data-reveals). Independent voters now represent 11 percent of Kentucky's electorate, with 376,201 registered voters in that category.

"Independents are out-registering Republicans and Democrats, leading up to party primaries in which Independents cannot vote," Adams said in a statement. Adams noted that the paradox has prompted lawmakers from both parties to introduce bills to open Kentucky's primary elections to independent voters.

[Officials with the Fayette County Clerk's Office say they support potential changes to the state's closed primary system](https://www.wtvq.com/kentucky-voter-registration-trends-show-rise-in-independent-voters/). Kentucky law currently restricts primary election voting to registered party members.

Republican registration increased by 1,174 voters in February, a 0.07 percent increase, bringing the total to 1,604,469 voters comprising 48 percent of the electorate. Democratic registration declined by 261 voters, a 0.02 percent decrease, with the party now representing 41 percent of registered voters.

Overall voter registration in Kentucky increased by 6,777 voters during February. The state also removed 4,171 voters from the rolls, including 3,476 deceased voters, 327 convicted felons, 237 who moved out of state, and others who were adjudged mentally incompetent or voluntarily de-registered.

The trend reflects broader national patterns. [Secretary of State Adams has previously noted that younger voters follow a nationwide trend of registering as independent or other rather than aligning with major parties](https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2025/08/14/other-party-registration), citing reduced institutional loyalty among younger generations.

The May 19 primary election will be the next test of voter sentiment in Kentucky, though independent voters will be unable to participate in Democratic or Republican contests under the state's current primary system.

## Sources

- [KY Secretary of State](https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=SOS&prId=558)
- [LEX 18 coverage of Kentucky voter registration trends](https://www.lex18.com/news/state-of-the-commonwealth/most-new-kentucky-voters-in-february-registered-as-independent-data-reveals)
- [WTVQ report on Kentucky independent voter registration](https://www.wtvq.com/kentucky-voter-registration-trends-show-rise-in-independent-voters/)
- [Spectrum News coverage of Kentucky voter registration trends](https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2025/08/14/other-party-registration)

---

This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from KY Secretary of State, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://kentucky.gov/Pages/Activity-stream.aspx?n=SOS&prId=558.