If you’re looking for a massive, state-spanning political showdown in the Bluegrass State right now, I’ve got some news that might be a bit of a letdown. Or a relief. Honestly, it depends on how much you enjoy campaign commercials.
Kentucky is one of those quirky states that loves to hold its big constitutional officer elections—think Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State—in those "odd" years right before a presidential cycle. We just did all that in 2023. Then, of course, the 2024 federal whirlwind happened. So, when people ask what elections are coming up in Kentucky 2025, the short answer is: not many.
But "not many" isn't the same as "none." While 2025 is technically an "off-year" for the Kentucky General Assembly and statewide offices, the gears of local government never actually stop turning. We've already seen some specific action this year that proves why keeping an eye on the calendar matters, even when there isn't a President or a Governor on the ballot.
The Big One We Already Saw: Senate District 37
Most of the state didn't have to think about a ballot box at all this past December, but if you live in southwest Jefferson County, you probably saw some activity. Because David Yates moved over to become the Jefferson County Clerk (following the passing of the legendary Bobbie Holsclaw), his seat in the Kentucky State Senate opened up.
This wasn't just a minor vacancy. It triggered a special election on December 16, 2025.
In that race, Democrat Gary Clemons, a union leader and Army veteran, took the win with over 70% of the vote. He was up against Republican Calvin Leach and Libertarian Wendy Higdon. It’s a classic example of why you can't just assume a year is "empty." If you lived in that district and stayed home because "there aren't elections in 2025," you missed out on choosing your direct voice in Frankfort for the upcoming 2026 legislative session.
Why 2025 Feels So Quiet
Kentucky’s election cycle is built on a four-year rotation that looks like this:
- Year 1 (e.g., 2023): State Constitutional Officers (Governor, etc.)
- Year 2 (e.g., 2024): Federal (President, Congress) and State Legislature
- Year 3 (e.g., 2025): The "Quiet Year"
- Year 4 (e.g., 2026): Midterms (Congress, State Legislature, Judicial)
Basically, 2025 is the bridge. It's the year where the State Board of Elections does a lot of the "unsexy" work. For instance, earlier this year in February, they purged over 225,000 inactive registrations from the rolls. That's a huge number. It's part of the routine maintenance required by law to keep the books clean, but it's also a reminder to check your own status before the 2026 primary season kicks off.
Local Tax Levies and Special Questions
While there aren't many candidate races, 2025 is the prime time for "special questions." These are usually local ballot measures where a school board or a city council needs to ask voters for permission to change a tax rate or fund a specific project.
Take Powell County, for example. They had a special election scheduled for November 25, 2025, specifically regarding a school board tax levy.
These don't get the headlines that a Senate race gets. Nobody is flying in national pundits to talk about a Powell County tax levy. But if you own property there, that "small" election has a way more direct impact on your bank account and your local schools than most federal races ever will.
Misconceptions About 2025
I’ve heard a few folks around Lexington and Louisville mention they were waiting for the "May Primary."
If you're looking for a primary in 2025, you’re going to be waiting a long time. There isn't one. The next major primary in Kentucky is set for May 19, 2026. That’s when we’ll be looking at:
- U.S. House seats (all six of them).
- State Representative seats (all 100 of them).
- State Senate seats (the odd-numbered districts).
- Various judicial and local offices.
A lot of the "noise" you're hearing right now is actually just candidates filing their paperwork for next year. In Kentucky, the filing deadline for the 2026 races usually falls in early January. So, while it feels like election season is starting, the actual voting part is mostly on ice for 2025.
How to Stay Ready
Even though the 2025 calendar is thin, the "ready" phase is actually pretty important. If you’ve moved recently—maybe you're one of the thousands of people who've shifted into Northern Kentucky or the Bowling Green area—now is the time to update your registration.
You can do this through the Kentucky State Board of Elections portal (GoVote.ky.gov). It takes about five minutes. Doing it now prevents that frantic "Oh no, I'm not on the list" moment when the 2026 primaries roll around and the lines are long.
Also, keep an eye on your local newspaper or the Secretary of State’s website. Special elections for vacated seats can be called with relatively short notice. If a local official resigns or passes away, that seat doesn't always just sit empty until the next cycle.
What’s Next for Kentucky Voters
Since we’re effectively in the "lull" of the cycle, your best move isn't looking for a polling place today, but preparing for the 2026 surge.
First, verify your registration. If you haven't voted in the last couple of cycles, you might be on that "inactive" list I mentioned earlier. Second, look up who your current State Representative and Senator are. They are currently preparing for the 2026 General Assembly session where they'll be tackling the state budget. Third, if you're in a district like SD-37 that just had a special election, make sure you know who your new representative is before you need to call them about a local issue.
Don't let the quiet of 2025 fool you into thinking the system is off. It’s just reloading.