Of 1,168 regular elections in Kentucky—783 (67%) are uncontested. An uncontested election is one where the number of candidates on the ballot is less than or equal to the number of seats up for election. 

Of the 24 states where Ballotpedia is covering every election on Nov. 5, Kentucky has the 10th highest rate of uncontested elections. 

There are at least 12 office types up for election in Kentucky this year. 

County commissioner and constable have the highest rate of uncontested elections at 100%. Elections for the office of clerk have the next highest uncontested rate at 97%, followed by district attorney at 89%.

State supreme court justice has the highest rate of contested elections at 100%. The next highest contested office type in Kentucky is local councilmember and mayor at 50% each, followed by U.S. representative and state representative at 46%.

Kentucky has a divided government, meaning neither party holds trifecta control. Among states with a divided government, 56% of elections are uncontested and 44% are contested. Those rates for Democratic trifectas are 55% and 45%, respectively. In states with Republican trifectas, 66% of elections are uncontested and 34% are contested.

Through October 2024, Ballotpedia has covered 36,068 elections in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four territories in 2024 alone. Of that total, 27,164 (75%) were uncontested and 8,904 (25%) were contested. To learn more about this analysis, click here!