One Louisville

Election Season 2026: What you need to know 

The yard signs are cropping up across the region which can only mean one thing: Election season is upon us! Primary elections for Kentucky will take place May 19, 2026. This year is the first election for Jefferson County since the legislature’s change to nonpartisan elections for the Louisville Metro Council and Mayor. This means that ballots are going to look different. This primary style is commonly called a “jungle primary” and allows all voters to vote on the full slate of candidates without any party affiliation on the ballot.  

This year’s ballot will include the following races:

    • U.S. Senate
    • U.S. House of Representatives (all districts)
    • Louisville Mayor
    • Metro Council Member (odd numbered districts only)
    • Jefferson County Attorney
    • Jefferson County Clerk
    • Jefferson County Sheriff 


Here are some resources for voters ahead of this election cycle:  

    • Find your precinct here
    • See a sample ballot for your address here
    • Request an absentee ballot here
    • Find an early voting (available from May 14-16) location here
    • Update your registration or register as a new voter here (Closes April 20 at 5PM) 


General Elections this year will be held November 3, 2026.