> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.shayinformed.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Early voting is surging in Kentucky, up more than 30% since the last midterm - URL: https://www.shayinformed.com/early-voting-is-surging-in-kentucky-up-more-than-30-since-the-last-midterm/ - Published: 2026-10-31T14:19:42.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-31T14:19:42.000Z - Author: Shay McAlister - Tags: Covering Kentucky Kentucky voters are showing up to cast their ballots, resulting in a nearly 30% increase since 2023\. --- *I'm Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed: an independent, ad-free platform dedicated to honest journalism with compassion and clarity.* *Are you new here?* [*Sign up*](https://www.shayinformed.com/#/portal/signup) *for the free weekly newsletter or subscribe to support the mission and access in-depth investigations, exclusive interviews, and podcasts reserved for paid subscribers.* --- If you’ve been wondering whether Kentuckians are fired up for this election, the early voting numbers have an answer. Through 6 p.m. Friday, 327,765 Kentuckians had cast ballots between early and absentee voting, according to Secretary of State Michael Adams. At this point in 2022, that number was 247,245\. In 2023, it was 226,556\. That’s roughly 80,000 more voters than in 2022, a jump of about 33%. The numbers are up in the state’s biggest counties, too: - **Jefferson County:** 56,802 voters, or 9.6% of registration - **Fayette County:** 21,292 voters, or 9.4% of registration - **Kenton County:** 13,830 voters, or 9.2% of registration - **Boone County:** 8,141 voters, or 7.7% of registration Friday’s early voters split almost evenly between the two major parties: 61,278 registered Democrats and 61,032 registered Republicans. Another 9,031 were registered as Independents. The surge isn’t just a Kentucky story. [An Associated Press analysis of voting data](https://apnews.com/article/election-early-voting-midterms-3f7d5c378b3d9bff5cde4604a55b9c9a?ref=shayinformed.com), done five days before Election Day, found early voting is significantly outpacing the last midterm, with millions more Americans voting in advance. According to the AP, the increases are especially sharp in states with competitive Senate races. [Louisville Mayor’s Race 2026: Greenberg vs. Parrish-WrightNo party label on the ballot. I asked both Louisville mayoral candidates the same questions. Here are their answers.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8c/19/8c19890d-f21a-4442-8055-5db9783cac58/content/images/icon/Profile-Pic_2-copy-bd0c0eaa-814a-416e-9081-4aa7843154fb.png)Shay InformedShay McAlister![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8c/19/8c19890d-f21a-4442-8055-5db9783cac58/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-10-27-at-2.42.28---PM-cc2c2997-957d-4391-bad3-26d202cf3894.png)](https://www.shayinformed.com/before-you-vote-louisvilles-mayoral-candidates-answer-the-same-five-questions/) Texas leads the way. The [AP reports](https://apnews.com/article/election-early-voting-midterms-3f7d5c378b3d9bff5cde4604a55b9c9a?ref=shayinformed.com) more than 6.3 million Texans had voted early as of Wednesday, compared with 4.2 million at the same point four years ago, a 50% increase. The AP also found advance voting up more than 30% from four years ago in Maine, Michigan, North Carolina and Kansas, and up 83% in South Carolina. **Today is your last chance to vote early.** Early voting ran Thursday through Saturday, October 29–31, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. If you’re in Jefferson County, you can find open polling locations today on the [Jefferson County Clerk’s website](https://www.jeffersoncountyclerk.org/Voter-Info/Voting/In-Person-Voting?ref=shayinformed.com). If you miss today, Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. [Before you vote: meet the candidates in Louisville's small-city mayor racesLouisville has 84 mayors, and most voters only hear about one race. I asked every candidate in a contested small-city race for 10 minutes on Zoom. This is who said yes. I'm Independent Journalist Shay McAlister, and this is Shay Informed. I believe some stories are too important![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8c/19/8c19890d-f21a-4442-8055-5db9783cac58/content/images/icon/Profile-Pic_2-copy-3ea5a86a-6573-410f-9a0f-011a68048400.png)Shay InformedShay McAlister![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/8c/19/8c19890d-f21a-4442-8055-5db9783cac58/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-10-27-at-5.08.02---PM-20e6c986-9a9b-421e-964f-98c4407b9b8d.png)](https://www.shayinformed.com/before-you-vote-meet-the-candidates-in-louisvilles-small-city-mayor-races/) *Like what you see? Learn more about Shay Informed* [*here*](https://www.shayinformed.com/welcome-to-shay-informed/)*! This is honest journalism with compassion and clarity.*