Political Parties

Kentucky recognizes three political distinctions and you must choose a political party when registering to vote.

These parties are: Democratic Party, Republican Party, and Other (designate political organization)*. Because Kentucky has closed party primary elections, you must register as a DEMOCRAT or REPUBLICAN to be eligible to vote in that party's May primary election.

If you register as OTHER, you will not be eligible to vote in the Democrat or Republican party primaries but you may vote for all nonpartisan offices, such as judicial, school board and urban county council primaries. All eligible voters can vote in the November general election.

Return to Top