While Republicans have steadily expanded their voter registration advantage across Kentucky in recent years, Democrats continue to hold the edge in 25 counties throughout the Commonwealth.
According to June voter registration statistics released by the Kentucky State Board of Elections, Democrats maintain a registration advantage in Bath, Breathitt, Carroll, Elliott, Fayette, Floyd, Franklin, Fulton, Henderson, Jefferson, Knott, Letcher, Magoffin, Marion, Menifee, Morgan, Muhlenberg, Nicholas, Perry, Robertson, Rowan, Todd, Union, Webster and Wolfe counties.
The Kentucky State Board of Elections publishes updated voter registration statistics at the beginning of each month, tracking shifts in party affiliation statewide.
Republicans became Kentucky's largest registered political party in July 2022, marking a historic milestone after Democrats had dominated voter registration for decades.
Nicholas Hazelett, chairman of the Johnson County Democratic Party and an organizer involved in voter registration efforts across Eastern Kentucky, said much of the remaining Democratic registration advantage stems from long-standing political traditions.
"Some of this is leftover from the old coalition that has just held on in many counties," Hazelett said.
He noted that many voters remain registered as Democrats because of familiar local candidates, even if they support Republicans in federal elections.
"I think that a lot of places have held on because there's still local Democrats on the ballot, and there is a familiarity to being a Kentucky Democrat," Hazelett said. "They may not vote for a federal candidate that's Democrat, but they still vote blue on even the governor's race and elections down ballot."
Although several of the Democratic-leaning counties continue to elect Democratic local officials, particularly to fiscal courts, most are represented by Republicans in the Kentucky General Assembly.
Since Republicans became the state's largest registered party, several county Republican organizations have worked to gain voter registration majorities locally.
Woodford County Republicans achieved that goal in December. Carmine Iaccarino, chairman of the Woodford County Republican Party and vice chairman of the Republican Party of Kentucky's 6th Congressional District, said the milestone was the result of years of outreach.
"It was as simple as just getting our message out, talking to neighbors and convincing folks that we interact with regularly that the values of the Republican Party better reflect the values that they care about," Iaccarino said.
He said conversations with voters often center on issues such as jobs, the economy and other everyday concerns.
"When I'm talking to my neighbors, they care about those things, not sort of these sideshows that are being pressed as partisan issues," he said.
Despite gaining the registration advantage, Iaccarino said the margin remains narrow. As of June, Republicans held just a 120-voter lead over Democrats in Woodford County.
"Woodford is purplish right now, and we think that we're going to expand our majority significantly over the next year and coming years, but this is not a moment where we're spiking the football," he said.
In Eastern Kentucky, Pike County Republicans also reached a significant milestone after launching their "Turn Pike County Red" campaign in 2021. June voter registration numbers showed Republicans leading Democrats by 54 registered voters for the first time in the county's history.
Pike County Republican Chair Terri Walters said the county has long reflected conservative values despite its historic Democratic registration advantage.
"For decades now the Democratic Party's connection to the voter has frayed, and that's been definitely noticeable to the voters here," Walters said. "The Republican Party has been showing the people that they're the party that aligns with their priorities for governmental representation and what are considered Appalachian and Eastern Kentucky values."
Walters credited the party's success to grassroots efforts that included voter registration drives at festivals, schools, community events, Lincoln Day dinners and local gatherings. She also said Kentucky's online voter registration system has made it easier for residents to register or change party affiliation.
Despite Republican gains, Democratic organizers say they continue working to rebuild support, particularly in rural Kentucky.
Hazelett said interest in local Democratic organizing increased following President Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 election.
"Locally we've had a lot more people come out of the woodwork," Hazelett said. "A lot of people are saying, 'If not me, then who is going to organize and bring the party back to some kind of semblance of strength locally?'"
He believes there is a disconnect between the messaging of the national Democratic Party and rural voters in Kentucky.
"I think a lot of people say the messaging and the communication at the national level has been a little bit lopsided for more suburban and urban areas, and that's why we're kind of in the place that we're at," Hazelett said.
Kentucky has frequently elected Republicans to Congress and the White House while also supporting Democratic candidates in statewide races, including governor.
Hazelett pointed to Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman, who is running for governor in 2027, and former state Representative Rocky Adkins, who has been mentioned as a potential gubernatorial candidate, as examples of Democratic leaders who continue to resonate with Kentucky voters.
The Democratic National Committee has also invested in voter registration efforts within the state. In March, the DNC held registration events at the University of Kentucky and Morehead State University in an effort to reduce the party's registration gap. Democrats currently maintain voter registration advantages in both Fayette County, home to the University of Kentucky, and Rowan County, home to Morehead State University.
Looking ahead, Hazelett believes Democrats can regain support among rural voters by focusing on issues that directly affect families, including affordability and the cost of living.
"A lot of people, I think, are willing to pull the lever for a different person if we actually get out there and work hard enough to earn their vote, not just expect their vote," he said.
Info via Kentucky Lantern
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