Many Kentuckians Won’t Have a Choice this November

When Kentuckians vote in the midterms later this year, many will only see one candidate on their ballot. Earlier this month, Louisville Public Media reported that 42 of Kentucky’s 80 House districts have no Democratic challenger, and Democrats are running candidates in only half of the 18 GOP-held seats up for election in 2026. This marks the second consecutive election cycle in which Democrats failed to field candidates in most Republican-held districts.

Kentucky Faces a Growing Representation Gap in the 2026 Legislative Elections

Currently, Democrats hold fewer than 20% of seats in Kentucky’s General Assembly. The Republicans gained a Senate majority 26 years ago and have held a supermajority for the past decade.

That supermajority has given Republicans veto-override power and control of the rules. It allows Republican leaders to fast-track legislation and sideline dissent without buy-in from anyone outside their caucus. With so many uncontested races in 2026, this one-party rule will continue, not because voters demand it, but because they have no alternative. 

Uncontested Elections Undermine Democracy and Depress Kentucky’s Voter Turnout

Democracy thrives on competition. Research shows that voter engagement increases when more candidates are on the ballot, but when voters don’t have a choice, participation drops.  

The logic is simple: why vote if the outcome is predetermined? Election after election of uncontested races sends a clear message to citizens that their voices don’t matter and that power is already locked in before election day. Over time, this breeds cynicism, disengagement, and distrust in government. 

The damage doesn’t stop there. Legislators in uncontested races don’t deliver. They are less active, vote less often, introduce fewer bills, and face fewer consequences for poor performance or ethical lapses. Without electoral accountability, bad actors remain in power because the public cannot vote them out of office.

Republican Supermajority Leaves No Real Check on Power in Kentucky’s Legislature

With a supermajority that can override a governor’s veto or rewrite rules unilaterally, Republican lawmakers face few constraints on their power. Academic research indicates that minority parties tend to lose influence over committee work, amendments, and floor debate when a supermajority is in place. The result is one-sided policymaking without inclusive deliberation and accountability. 

A healthy democracy requires effective checks and balances. Kentucky’s legislature no longer has them. This concentration of power erodes democratic norms and leaves millions of Kentuckians without representation that reflects the full diversity of their views.

The absence of choice undermines Kentucky’s democracy. When elections are uncontested, accountability disappears, and civic engagement declines. Restoring competition isn’t a partisan issue - it’s a democratic one.