Kentucky Primary Facts and Figures

The Kentucky primary is May 20, 2008.

Presidential Primary Winners

Democrats

• 1988: Al Gore
• 1992: Bill Clinton
• 1996: Bill Clinton
• 2000: Al Gore
• 2004: John Kerry

Republicans

• 1988: George H.W. Bush
• 1992: George H.W. Bush
• 1996: Bob Dole
• 2000: George W. Bush
• 2004: George W. Bush

Sources:
Congressional Quarterly's Guide to U.S. Elections
Kentucky State Board of Elections: Election Results

2008 Voter Registration Data

As of May 20, 2008:

Total Registered Voters:   2,857,231

Registration by Party:

• Democrat:   1,629,845 (57.0%)
• Republican:   1,040,438 (36.4%)
• Other:   186,948 (6.5%)

Gender:

• Male:   1,344,579 (47%)
• Female:   1,512,503 (53%)

Source:
Kentucky State Board of Elections: Voter Registration Statistics, by County

General Election Winners—1988-2004

• 1988: George H. W. Bush
• 1992: Bill Clinton
• 1996: Bill Clinton
• 2000: George W. Bush
• 2004: George W. Bush

Sources:
Congressional Quarterly's Guide to U.S. Elections
Kentucky State Board of Elections: Election Results

Exit Poll Demographics

2004 General Election

Sex

• Male:   46%
• Female:   54%

Race

• White:   90%
• African-American:   8%
• Latino:   1%
• Asian:   0%
• Other:   1%

Age

• 18-29:   19%
• 30-44:   28%
• 45-59:   31%
• 60 and older:   22%

Source:
CNN.com

3 Things You Didn't Know About Kentucky Primaries

1. Kentucky traditionally holds its presidential primary in May. However, in 1988, Kentucky moved its primary to March, joining the "Super Tuesday" southern regional primary that was held that year. Southern Democrats organized the regional primary in an effort to boost the South's influence in selecting a nominee. In the end, it was deemed unsuccessful and Kentucky returned to its May date.

2. Unlike many other states that moved up their primary dates in 2008, Kentucky left its scheduled in late May. In mid-2007, a state official was quoted saying, "It would be very ironic if a state like Kentucky that hasn't moved up becomes a player by doing nothing." That is in fact what has happened, with every last delegate playing a crucial role in the election this year.

3. Kentucky's Secretary of State, Trey Grayson, supports a proposal to hold rotating regional presidential primaries. The plan, adopted by the National Association of Secretaries of State, would divide the country into four geographic regions (East, South, Midwest, and West). The regional order would rotate every four years, with primaries being held in March, April, May and June. This way, every region would get a chance to vote first. (Note: the plan also specifies that "Iowa and New Hampshire would retain their leading positions in the presidential selection process based upon their tradition of encouraging retail politics.")

Sources:
The Almanac of American Politics
The Associated Press state & local wire
The Lexington Herald-Leader
NASS Regional Primaries Plan
Online NewsHour: Super Tuesday—1988
The Washington Post