Deadlines swiftly approaching for political party switch and candidate filings

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Although Kentucky’s 2024 primary election is not until May 21, there are some dates rapidly approaching of which voters need to be aware: the deadline to change your political party affiliation and the candidate filing deadline.

Switch your party

The first is the party switching deadline, which is Sunday, Dec. 31.  Registered voters wanting to make the party switch may do so online at govote.ky.gov, until 11:59 pm (EST) on Sunday. However, if you wish to do so in person, visit your county clerk’s office by the close of business on Friday, Dec. 29. 

Kentucky is a closed primary state, so you can only cast your vote for candidates who are in the party with which you are affiliated.

File candidacy paperwork

The candidate filing deadline is also nearing, with Jan. 5 being the deadline. You may file at your county clerk’s office for local races, such as mayor or city council; but for other offices, including for Congress, the Kentucky House and Senate, Commonwealth’s Attorney and judicial races, those filings are all done through the Secretary of State’s office in Frankfort.

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Christian County filings

In Christian County, candidacy filings have been filed in the following races, according to the county clerk and Kentucky Secretary of State offices.

Hopkinsville City Council

Ward 1

• Markeeta Oldham Wilkerson (Democrat)
• Natasha Sophia Francis (Republican, incumbent)
• Vance Smith (Republican)

Ward 3

• Donald G. Marsh (Republican, incumbent)

Ward 4

• Chuck Crabtree (Republican, incumbent)
• Faye Hendricks (Republican)

Ward 5

• Amy Craig (Republican, incumbent)
• Shannon Trogden (Republican)

Ward 6

• Travis W. Martin (Republican, incumbent)

Ward 7

• Louis Clayton Sumner (Republican)

Ward 8

• Seth Adam Meek (Republican, incumbent)

Ward 9

• Brittanie M. Bogard (Republican)
• Duane Shepard (Indepedent)
• Angelique M. Victor (Democrat)
• Jamie L. Lienberger (Republican, incumbent)
• Monike Love (Democrat)
• Ardell Glenn Owens (Democrat)

Ward 10

• Steve Keel (Republican, incumbent)

Ward 11

• Jason Bell (Republican, incumbent)

Ward 12

• Matthew Handy (Republican, incumbent)
• Elizabeth Draude (Republican)

Christian County Circuit Court Clerk

• Paige Eli Parker (Republican, incumbent)

Christian County Commonwealth’s Attorney

• Maureen Leamy (Republican, incumbent)

Oak Grove City Council

• Edward T. Cook, incumbent

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Register to vote

One other important deadline for the May primary election is still several months away: you have until April 22 to register to vote and be eligible to participate during the primary. Among the ways you can accomplish that is online at the website elect.ky.gov, or by going to your county clerk’s office.

Not sure if you’re registered? Check your status here.

This article is republished under a Creative Commons license from Kentucky Lantern, which is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kentucky Lantern maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jamie Lucke for questions: info@kentuckylantern.com. Follow Kentucky Lantern on Facebook and Twitter. (Hoptown Chronicle engagement editor Julia Hunter contributed to this report.)