(Frankfort, KY) – More Kentuckians are registered to vote than ever before in Kentucky, according to figures released by Secretary of State Trey Grayson and the Kentucky State Board of Elections.  In total, 2,857,231 citizens will appear on Kentucky’s voter rolls for the May 20th primary election. That compares to the previous record, set in the 2007 general election, which totaled 2,840,898. There were 2,795,013 citizens registered to vote in the 2007 primary election and 2,706,593 in the 2004 primary, the most recent comparable election cycle.

“While I am disappointed that Kentucky did not see dramatically increased registration figures as was seen in many other states this election cycle, I am encouraged that Kentucky has set a new voter registration record,” stated Secretary of State Trey Grayson.  “It is my hope that Kentucky voters will become more engaged in the primary election races and that this increase in registrations will lead to a larger turnout on Election Day.” 

 
The registration totals are a net increase of 16,333 voters from those who were registered to vote in the 2007 general election, increasing the voter rolls by 0.58%.  In comparison, voter registration figures increased by a net of 28,725, or 1.04%, from the 2006 general election to the 2007 primaries.

Registration figures continued to show little change in the percentage of male and female voters with females representing nearly 53% of the registration population and males representing 47%.  In terms of party registration, Democrats, Republicans, and “others” increased their number of registered voters by 0.82%, .25%, and .27% since November of 2007, respectively.  Democrats increased their voters by 13,259 to 1,629,845.  Republicans increased their voters by 2,577 to 1,040,438.  “Others” increased their voters by 497 to 186,948.

Democrats were the only designation to increase their percentages of the Kentucky voter rolls as they now comprise 57.04% of Kentucky voters.  That is an increase of 0.14% since the 2007 general election.  Republicans and “Others” saw their percentage decrease from 36.53% and 6.56%, respectively, in the 2007 general election to 36.41% and 6.54% for the upcoming election, a decrease of 0.12% and 0.02%, respectively.

 
Compared to the 2004 primary election registration figures, there has been a net increase of 150,638 in total voters, or 5.57%; 49,321 in Democratic voters, or 3.12%; 89,183 in Republican voters, or 9.38%,;and 12,135 “other” voters, or 6.94%.  Democrats, Republicans, and “Others” represented 58.40%, 35.15%, and 6.46% of the electorate in May of 2004, respectively.  Since May of 2004, the percentage of the electorate has changed -1.36% for Democrats, 1.26% for Republicans, and 0.08% for “Others” as compared to current percentages of Kentucky registered voters.

 
Secretary Grayson noted that the election’s focus now shifts to getting people to the polls on Election Day.  “Now that the registration books are closed, we must work diligently to see that every registered Kentuckian votes in the May 20, 2008 primary.” 

 
Grayson encouraged citizens to utilize the Voter Information Center (VIC) on the State Board of Election’s website to confirm their voter registration status, determine whether they are eligible to vote in the primary, and to locate their polling place.  For complete registration statistics and additional election information or to access the VIC, please visit www.elect.ky.gov.