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Kentucky Primary and Delegate Rules

Last reviewed: July 26, 2026. Kentucky primary election and presidential delegate rule information is summarized from the source links listed on this page. Confirm final rules, deadlines, and party procedures with the listed official sources.

Quick Answer​

  • Primary types: Democratic presidential: Closed; Democratic state: Closed; Republican presidential: Closed; Republican state: Closed.
  • Consolidated presidential and state primaries: Yes.
  • Democratic delegates: 51 total, 45 pledged, 6 unpledged, 4 alternates.
  • Republican delegates: 46 total, 46 pledged, 0 unpledged, 43 alternates.

Kentucky Primary Election Types​

Primary election types by party and contest
PartyContestPrimary type
DemocraticPresidentialClosed
DemocraticStateClosed
RepublicanPresidentialClosed
RepublicanStateClosed

Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling​

Consolidated Primaries: Yes

Kentucky is one of the states that have merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, Democratic presidential primary and the State primary are scheduled to run on the same days. However, this does not apply to the Republican causus.

Kentucky is a closed primary State. Voters may or may not choose to affiliate with a political party, however, affiliation with a party is required to vote in primary elections.

Voting In Primaries​

  • A primary election is held on the first Tuesday after third Monday in May each year for the nomination of all candidates to be voted for at the next general election.KRS 118.02

Kentucky Presidential Delegate Allocation​

The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election. Candidates Ballot access rules vary depending on the candidate’s political party.

Kentucky presidential delegate counts
PartyTotal delegate votesPledgedUnpledgedAlternatesAllocation methodThreshold
Democratic Party514564Proportional15% minimum vote required
Republican Party4646043ProportionalA minimum of 15% of the statewide Primary vote

Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process​

Democratic Party Delegates Allocation​

The Democratic Party uses a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Preference Election (Primary) for apportioning delegates to the Democratic National Convention. In 2024, Kentucky's Democratic party will send a total of 51 Delegate Votes and 4 Alternate Delegates to the DNC national convention. Of the 51 delegate votes, 45 Pledged Delegate Votes (29 District-level delegates, 10 At-Large, and 6 PLEOs) and 6 Automatic Delegate Votes.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with KY Democratic party for further requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 29
  • At-large Delegates: 10
  • Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 6
  • Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 6
  • Alternate Delegates: 4

Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown​

  • DNC Members: 4
  • Dem. Members of Congress: 1
  • Dem. Governors: 1
  • Distinguished Party Leaders: 0

Republican Party Primary Delegates Process​

Republican Party Delegates Allocation​

The Republican Party in Kentucky uses a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Preference Election (Primary) for apportioning delegates to the Republican National Convention. In 2024, the Republican party will send a total of 46 Delegate Votes and 43 Alternate Delegates to the RNC national convention. Of the 56 delegate votes, 48 Pledged Delegate Votes (18 District-level delegates, 25 At-Large, and 3 RNC delegates) and 8 Automatic Delegate Votes.

Presidential Candidates Ballot Access​

  • A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
  • The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission (FEC) to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
  • Please check with KY Republican party for additional requirements.

Delegates Breakdown​

  • District-level Delegates: 18
  • At-large Delegates: 25
  • RNC Delegates: 3
  • Alternate Delegates: 43

About These Rules​

This page contains primary election rules and presidential primary delegate allocation information for states and U.S. territories.

Primary voting rules and delegate allocation usually apply to statewide partisan primary elections. Check with your local election office for current guidance because rules, dates, and party procedures can change.

The information provided on this page was validated using the following resources: