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New Kentucky voters showing an increased aversion to both major political parties

Anderson County Clerk Jason Denny looks over the printouts from the voting machines during the remcanvass of the results from the election for Kentucky Governor in Lawrenceburg, Ky., Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. Election officials across Kentucky have started double-checking vote totals that show Republican Gov. Matt Bevin trailing Democrat Andy Beshear by more than 5,000 votes. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)
Timothy D. Easley/AP
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FR43398 AP
Anderson County Clerk Jason Denny looks over the printouts from the voting machines during the remcanvass of the results from the election for Kentucky Governor in Lawrenceburg, Ky., Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019. Election officials across Kentucky have started double-checking vote totals that show Republican Gov. Matt Bevin trailing Democrat Andy Beshear by more than 5,000 votes. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley)

New voters registering in Kentucky are continuing to lean away from the two major parties, a trend that's been become the norm over the past year.

According to Sec. of State Michael Adams, there were 2,606 new net registrations in February. Close to two-thirds chose to identify as Independent or other third party affiliations.

With the growing rejection of the Republican or Democratic labels, legislators are testing the waters for bills that would open state primary elections to Independents — who are currently barred from voting in the early contests.

The Kentucky voter registration numbers mirror the data in other states.

A 2025 NBC analysis found that 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.

Overall, registered Republicans make up 48% of the electorate in Kentucky, and Democrats 41%. Other affiliations account for roughly 11% — and while they may come in a distant third, they're the category that is growing the fastest.