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Polls open in Kentucky and Indiana as Louisville holds first nonpartisan general election

Polls open in Kentucky and Indiana as Louisville holds first nonpartisan general election

Rule Changes Louisville, KY local

Voters in Louisville and Southern Indiana can cast ballots until 6 p.m. in midterms that include a Senate race and a mayor's contest.

Today: Polls open across Kentucky and Indiana

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

Polls opened at 6 a.m. Tuesday across Kentucky and Indiana, including Louisville, where voters are choosing a mayor and Metro Council in the city's first general election under nonpartisan voting. By 11:30 a.m., more than 90,600 Jefferson County voters had cast ballots, out of more than 590,000 registered, according to the county clerk.

The format change affects straight-ticket voting and how local candidates appear on the ballot. Statewide races also sit on the ballot, including Kentucky's U.S. Senate contest between Republican Andy Barr and Democrat Charles Booker for Mitch McConnell's seat.

Why it matters

Louisville's switch to nonpartisan local elections changes how voters pick the mayor and council, and how straight-ticket voting works.

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Key Indicators

90,600+
Jefferson County ballots cast by 11:30 a.m.
More than 90,600 voters had cast ballots in Kentucky's most populous county.
590,000+
Registered voters in Jefferson County
The county has more than 590,000 registered voters.
6 p.m.
Poll closing time
Polls close at 6 p.m. local time in Kentucky and Indiana; voters in line by then must be allowed to vote.
1st
Nonpartisan general election in Louisville
Louisville is holding its first general election under nonpartisan voting for local offices.

Voices

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People Involved

Craig Greenberg
Craig Greenberg
Mayor of Louisville; candidate for reelection
On ballot in nonpartisan mayoral race
SP
Shameka Parrish-Wright
Challenger in Louisville mayoral race
On ballot in nonpartisan mayoral race
 Andy Barr
Andy Barr
U.S. Representative; Republican candidate for U.S. Senate
On ballot in Kentucky Senate race
CB
Charles Booker
Former Kentucky state representative; Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate
On ballot in Kentucky Senate race

Organizations Involved

Jefferson County Clerk's Office
Jefferson County Clerk's Office
Local Election Authority
Reported turnout data on Election Day

The office provided the 11:30 a.m. turnout figure for Jefferson County.
Louisville Metro
Louisville Metro
Consolidated city-county government
Holding first nonpartisan general election for local offices

Louisville Metro is the merged city-county government whose mayor and council are on the 2026 ballot.

Timeline

2 events Latest: Today

  1. Polls open across Kentucky and Indiana

    Today Election

    Voting begins at 6 a.m. local time and runs until 6 p.m.

  2. Jefferson County turnout passes 90,600

    Today Turnout

    More than 90,600 of 590,000 registered Jefferson County voters had cast ballots by 11:30 a.m.

Scenarios

1

Greenberg wins Louisville mayor's race

Possible Resolves by Nov 24, 2026

Discussed by: Louisville Public Media and WLKY election guides; no public forecast cited

If incumbent Craig Greenberg holds his seat, he becomes the first mayoral winner under Louisville's nonpartisan general election format. The result depends on vote totals reported by Jefferson County.

2

Parrish-Wright unseats Greenberg

Possible Resolves by Nov 24, 2026

Discussed by: Louisville Public Media and WLKY election guides; no public forecast cited

If Shameka Parrish-Wright defeats incumbent Craig Greenberg, Louisville would elect a new mayor in the first nonpartisan general election. The result depends on vote totals reported by Jefferson County.

3

Barr wins Kentucky's U.S. Senate seat

Possible Resolves by Dec 1, 2026

Discussed by: WLKY election guide; no public forecast cited

If Republican Andy Barr wins, he would hold the Senate seat long held by Mitch McConnell. The result depends on statewide vote totals reported by Kentucky election officials.

4

Booker wins Kentucky's U.S. Senate seat

Possible Resolves by Dec 1, 2026

Discussed by: WLKY election guide; no public forecast cited

If Democrat Charles Booker wins, he would take the Senate seat long held by Mitch McConnell. The result depends on statewide vote totals reported by Kentucky election officials.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

November-December 2000

Florida presidential recount (2000)

A close presidential vote in Florida triggered a recount and legal fights over ballot handling. The U.S. Supreme Court stopped the recount, and George W. Bush won the state by 537 votes.

Then

Bush became president after the Supreme Court ruling.

Now

The case underscored how certification rules and court decisions can decide close elections.

Why this matters now

Kentucky and Indiana results may not be final on election night, and official certification will decide the winners.

November 2018

2018 U.S. midterm elections

Democrats won control of the House, Republicans kept the Senate, and turnout reached its highest midterm level in decades.

Then

The split Congress set up two years of divided government.

Now

The election showed midterms can shift power in Washington even when the president's party holds the White House.

Why this matters now

The 2026 midterms include Kentucky's Senate race and local contests that could shift control of Congress.

Sources

(2)
Louisville Public Media WLKY