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Kentucky's Primaries

Partisan Primary Types​

Democratic PartyRepublican Party
Presidential PrimariesState PrimariesPresidential PrimariesState Primaries
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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

Delegates and Presidential Primaries​

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.

Democratic PartyRepublican Party
Total Del. VotesPled.Unpled.Altern.Total Del. VotesPled.Unpled.Altern.
51 45 6 4 46 46 43

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. Gorvernors: 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

NOTES​

This page contains primary election rules and Presidential Primary delegates allocation information on elections occurring across the country

Primary voting rules and delegate allocation apply to statewide partisan primary elections in most cases. However, check with your Town Clerk for primary voting guide as they may vary by town and political party.Please be advised that the information provided on this site is updated regularly but is subject to scheduling changes at the local level.

The information provided on the page was validated using the following resourses: