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Independent and third party voter registrations continue upswing in Kentucky

Voters cast their ballots on Election Day at the Bald Knob Fire Station in Frankfort, Ky., Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Timothy D. Easley/AP
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FR43398 AP
Voters cast their ballots on Election Day at the Bald Knob Fire Station in Frankfort, Ky., Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

New Kentucky voters are increasingly opting for alternatives to the Republican or Democratic labels.

Voters identifying as Independent or as members of other third parties accounted for two-thirds of net new voter registrations in June — in what's becoming a solid trend.

Secretary of State Michael Adams said the move toward registration outside the two major parties mirrors a national shift. The Republican state official attributed the surge to a decline in Democratic Party registration.

That's consistent with an NBC analysis of voter data. It found, as of 2025, 32% of registered voters in states and territories with reported data chose not to affiliate with either the Democratic or Republican parties, up from 23% in 2000.

Last month, Republican registration in Kentucky inched up by .05% while Democratic registration dropped by .06%. Those signing up to vote as Independents or members of other political affiliations ticked up by .44%.

Voters opting for alternatives to the two major parties are not allowed to vote in Kentucky primaries.