State voter registration numbers show ‘other’ political affiliations on the rise

Kentucky voter registration under “other” political affiliations reached the 10 percent mark for the first time ever back in December, according to the secretary of state’s office.

Last month, Kentucky saw 6,103 newly registered voters, for a net gain of 509 new voters. Meanwhile, 5,594 voters were removed from the rolls – 3,686 deceased voters, 1,429 who moved out of state, 391 felony convicts, 44 who voluntarily de-registered, 43 who were ruled mentally incompetent, and one duplicate registration.

Republican registrants account for 45.5 percent of the electorate with 1,635,938 voters. Republican registration rose by 2,048 voters, a 0.13 percent increase. Democratic registrants account for 44.5 percent of the electorate, with 1,600,466 voters. Democratic registration dropped by 2,892 voters, a 0.18 percent decrease.

Voters registered as Independent or with other affiliations account for 10 percent of the electorate, with 358,336 voters. “Other” registration increased by 1,353 voters, or 0.38 percent.