You might be looking at your 2025 calendar and wondering if you'll be heading to the polls anytime soon. It’s a fair question. Kentucky has a weird relationship with the calendar. Unlike most states that stick to even years for the big stuff, we love our "off-year" elections.
But 2025 is a bit of a ghost town on the statewide level.
If you were hoping to vote for a Governor or a Senator this year, you’re out of luck. Those big-ticket races happened in 2023 or are coming up in 2026. However, saying there are "no elections" isn't exactly true either. Kentucky politics never truly sleeps; it just takes naps in certain zip codes.
The Short Answer: No Statewide Races
Let's get the big one out of the way. There are no regularly scheduled statewide elections in Kentucky for 2025.
Basically, the seats for Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General are all occupied and won't be up for grabs again until 2027. We just did the whole "state officer" dance in 2023 when Andy Beshear won his second term. Because those terms are four years, 2025 is technically a "bye year" for the state capitol.
Does that mean your "I Voted" sticker collection is safe? Maybe not.
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The Special Election Reality
In Kentucky, vacancies happen. When a state representative or senator resigns—maybe they got a new job or, as we saw recently, moved into a different government role—the Governor calls a special election.
These don't happen on a set schedule. They are reactive.
For example, look at what happened in Senate District 37 (South Louisville) at the tail end of 2025. That seat opened up because David Yates moved over to lead the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office. The special election was held on December 16, 2025. Democrat Gary Clemons ended up taking that seat with about 72% of the vote, beating out Republican Calvin Leach and Libertarian Wendy Higdon.
If you live in a district where a similar vacancy pops up, you could find yourself voting on a random Tuesday in the middle of the year.
Recent 2025 Local Votes
Aside from legislative seats, local issues sometimes force an election.
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- Powell County: They had a special election on November 25, 2025, specifically for a school board tax levy.
- Local Referendums: Sometimes cities or counties will put "wet/dry" votes (about alcohol sales) or specific tax questions on a special ballot.
Why 2025 Feels So Quiet
Kentucky is one of only five states that elects its governor in odd-numbered years (the others are Mississippi, Louisiana, New Jersey, and Virginia). This means our "big" odd-numbered year was 2023.
The year 2025 serves as the quiet before the storm. 2026 is going to be massive. We'll be looking at:
- All six U.S. House of Representatives seats.
- A U.S. Senate seat (Rand Paul's seat isn't up until 2028, but the 2026 cycle often feels like the start of the next big federal push).
- State House and half of the State Senate.
- Local "county officer" roles like Sheriffs, County Clerks, and Jailers.
Honestly, 2025 is the year most candidates use to raise money and quietly launch campaigns behind the scenes. If you see a politician at a fish fry or a county fair this summer, they aren't just there for the food. They are running for 2026.
Voter Registration Purges: A 2025 Update
Even if you aren't casting a ballot, the Kentucky State Board of Elections has been busy. In February 2025, the state purged over 225,000 inactive registrations from the voter rolls.
This is part of a regular "cleaning" process required by law to keep the lists accurate. If you haven't voted in several years or moved without updating your address, there's a chance your name was removed.
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It’s a good idea to check your status now rather than waiting for the 2026 primary rush. You can do that through the Kentucky Voter Information Portal.
Checking if You Have an Election
Since special elections are hyper-local, the best way to stay informed is to check with your County Clerk. They are the ones who actually run the show.
| If you live in... | Check with... |
|---|---|
| Louisville | Jefferson County Clerk |
| Lexington | Fayette County Clerk |
| Northern KY | Kenton/Campbell/Boone County Clerks |
| Everywhere else | Your specific County Clerk's office |
Most of these offices have a "What's on my ballot?" tool. If you put in your address and it says "No upcoming elections," then you're truly in the clear for 2025.
Actionable Steps for Kentucky Voters
While there aren't any elections in Kentucky in 2025 for the majority of residents, you shouldn't just tune out completely. Political infrastructure is built during these quiet periods.
- Verify your registration: Since the massive purge in February 2025, go to the Secretary of State’s website and make sure you are still "Active."
- Update your address: If you moved across county lines, your registration doesn't automatically follow you. 2025 is the perfect, low-stress time to fix this.
- Research 2026 candidates: Many people have already filed "intent to run" papers for the 2026 cycle. You can start seeing who wants to represent you in Congress or the state legislature now.
- Monitor local board meetings: School boards and fiscal courts often make their most controversial decisions in "off" years when they think nobody is watching.
The lack of a statewide ballot doesn't mean the government is on vacation. Use this year to get your paperwork in order so you're ready when the 2026 primary season kicks off in May.