kentucky elections 2026: General Election Day and Key Race Overview

Election Timeline and Voting Options

The 2026 general election in Kentucky was held on November 3, 2026. Voters had until October 5, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. local time to register. Early voting ran from October 29 to October 31, and absentee ballots could be requested up to October 20 (mail) with in‑person absentee voting available from October 21‑28 (excused) and October 29‑31 (no excuse). Polls were open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time on Election Day, and anyone in line by 6:00 p.m. was allowed to vote.

Key Races to Watch

Among the most prominent contests were the open United States Senate seat previously held by Senator Mitch McConnell, the Kentucky 6th Congressional District race, the Louisville mayoral election, and the Jefferson County Board of Education elections. The ballot also included all 100 Kentucky House districts, 19 of the 38 Kentucky Senate seats, several U.S. House districts (1‑6), Constitutional Amendment 1, and numerous local offices such as sheriff and district court judges.

Statewide Contest Highlights

The Kentucky House currently has 80 Republican and 20 Democratic members, while the Senate stands at 32 Republicans and 6 Democrats. The 2026 ballot featured a mix of contested and uncontested races; many House districts were uncontested, which is why they do not appear in live results summaries. Constitutional Amendment 1, which limits a governor’s pardon power near a gubernatorial election, was also on the ballot.

Results and Updates

Voting ended at 6:00 p.m. local time, and unofficial returns began appearing after 7:00 p.m. ET. The Kentucky Secretary of State’s results portal and the Courier Journal’s live‑update page list the top candidates for each contested race, excluding write‑ins and uncontested seats. Because the election covered 119 legislative positions and a statewide ballot measure, the full set of results is extensive and continues to be updated as more precincts report.

What to Expect Next

Official certification of the election will follow in the coming weeks, after which the newly elected officials will begin preparing for the 2027 legislative session. The outcome of the Senate race, the 6th District contest, and the Louisville mayoral race are expected to have significant implications for Kentucky’s political landscape.

Source: Kentucky State Board of Elections, Courier Journal live‑update coverage, MultiState Elections results, Ballotpedia election guide, Kentucky Chamber Get‑Out‑the‑Vote materials.