Influx of new registrations offset by voter roll purge in Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Secretary of State Michael Adams on Tuesday revealed an intriguing twist to Kentucky’s voter registration statistics, reporting a surge in new registrations for June that was mostly neutralized by the removal of thousands of ineligible voters from the state’s rolls, Kentucky Today’s Tom Latek reports.

Kentucky’s voter registration saw an impressive climb last month, but despite over 10,000 new sign-ups, a spike not seen since November 2022, the state’s voter rolls expanded by a mere 670. This was due to the stringent removal of 9,348 voters who failed to meet eligibility criteria.

“Registration is flat for the month due to diligent work to remove ineligible voters,” Secretary Adams commented. The effort reflects the state’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of the electoral process by ensuring only eligible voters participate.

In detail, the June data revealed that of the 9,348 removals, 7,049 were registered voters who had passed away. In addition, 1,175 were individuals convicted of felonies, 734 had relocated out of the state, and 306 voluntarily de-registered. Eighty-three were adjudged mentally incompetent, and one was a case of duplicate registration.

A breakdown of the new registrants by party affiliation shows a slight uptick in favor of Republicans. Of the total electorate, 45.9% or 1,593,476 are now registered Republicans, an increase of 0.13% or 2,020 voters. Democratic registrants comprise 44.1% of the electorate, numbering 1,529,360 voters, reflecting a 0.17% decrease with 2,562 voters less than the previous month.

Meanwhile, ‘other’ political affiliations gained some ground with a 0.35% increase, amounting to 1,212 new registrations. They now make up 10% of the electorate or 348,698 voters. This places the current number of registered voters in Kentucky at 3,471,534.

Looking ahead, the November ballot will include constitutional offices such as the Governor and Lt. Governor slate, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Auditor, State Treasurer, and Agriculture Commissioner.

Special elections are also slated to take place. One is for the final year of the 93rd State Representative seat in Fayette County, left vacant after Democrat Lamin Swann’s passing in May. The other is for a Family Court Judge seat in Jefferson County.

Prospective voters have until Oct. 10 to register in time for participation in the November General Election. As voter registration data fluctuates, the race to the ballot box promises to be closely watched in the Bluegrass State.

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