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Early Voting Opens for Kentucky Primary as Louisville Debuts Nonpartisan Races

The new format lets independents vote in key local primaries, raising interest in a contest that often draws light turnout.

Overview

  • Early in-person voting opened Thursday and runs through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 24 Jefferson County sites where any voter can cast a ballot regardless of home precinct.
  • Election Day is Tuesday, May 19, with polls open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and mail-in absentee ballots must arrive by 6 p.m. to be counted.
  • Secretary of State Michael Adams reported roughly 3,000 early ballots cast by mid-morning in Jefferson County and said he expects turnout north of 20% for the primary.
  • Louisville’s mayor and Metro Council primaries are nonpartisan for the first time, allowing more than 75,000 registered independents to vote, so straight-ticket choices will not fill those races.
  • High-profile contests include the open U.S. Senate seat to succeed Mitch McConnell and a Republican House primary between Rep. Thomas Massie and Ed Gallrein that has drawn a Trump endorsement and record spending.