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Kentucky Court of Appeals

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Appellate Court Districts

The Kentucky Court of Appeals is the intermediate appellate court in Kentucky. Prior to a 1975 amendment to the Kentucky Constitution that created the Kentucky Supreme Court, the Kentucky Court of Appeals was the only appellate court in the state.[1]

The court consists of 14 members who serve eight-year terms. The court hears cases normally in three-judge panels, with membership in the panels rotating so all judges sit on at least one panel with each of their colleagues every year. The court is headquartered in Frankfort, Kentucky, but the three-judge panels hear cases in courtrooms throughout the state.[1]

  • Published opinions of the Kentucky Court of Appeals can be found here.
 
Kentucky Court of Appeals
Intermediate Appellate Courts Seal-template.png
Court information
Judges:   14
Salary:  Associates: $163,292[2]
Judicial selection
Method:   Nonpartisan election of judges
Term:   8 years

Judges


Office Name Party Date assumed office
Kentucky Court of Appeals 1st Division 1 Chris McNeill Nonpartisan 2020
Kentucky Court of Appeals 1st Division 2 Lisa Payne Jones Nonpartisan April 29, 2024
Kentucky Court of Appeals 2nd Division 1 Jeff Taylor Nonpartisan January 5, 2004
Kentucky Court of Appeals 2nd Division 2 Kelly Mark Easton Nonpartisan January 2, 2023
Kentucky Court of Appeals 3rd Division 1 Jacqueline Caldwell Nonpartisan December 6, 2019
Kentucky Court of Appeals 3rd Division 2 James H. Lambert Nonpartisan January 1, 2007
Kentucky Court of Appeals 4th Division 1 Audra Jean Eckerle Nonpartisan January 2, 2023
Kentucky Court of Appeals 4th Division 2 Annette Karem Nonpartisan January 2, 2023
Kentucky Court of Appeals 5th Division 1 Will Moynahan Nonpartisan April 22, 2025
Kentucky Court of Appeals 5th Division 2 Glenn E. Acree Nonpartisan 2006
Kentucky Court of Appeals 6th Division 1 Allison Jones Nonpartisan 2013
Kentucky Court of Appeals 6th Division 2 Susanne Mowery Cetrulo Nonpartisan September 25, 2021
Kentucky Court of Appeals 7th Division 1 Sara Walter Combs Nonpartisan 1994
Kentucky Court of Appeals 7th Division 2 Larry E. Thompson Nonpartisan January 7, 2019


Jurisdiction

The Kentucky Court of Appeals hears appeals from the district and circuit courts in Kentucky. When losing parties are unsatisfied with the trial court's decision, they can seek a review of the lower court's decisions from the Kentucky Court of Appeals. Cases are not retried by the Kentucky Court of Appeals, instead the original trial is reviewed and attorneys present legal issues to the court for a decision.[1]

Child custody and property rights decisions in divorce cases may be appealed, however, criminal case acquittals and divorces cannot. Cases involving death sentences, life imprisonment, or imprisonment of 20 or more years are appealed directly to the Kentucky Supreme Court. Original actions can be filed with the Kentucky Court of Appeals under certain situations.[1]

Court of Appeals District Counties Served
First District Ballard, Carlisle, Hickman, Fulton, Graves, McCracken, Calloway, Marshall, Livingston, Crittenden, Lyon, Caldwell, Trigg, Webster, Hopkins, McLean, Muhlenberg, Butler, Edmonson, Christian, Todd, Logan, Simpson and Allen
Second District Union, Henderson, Daviess, Hancock, Ohio, Breckinridge, Meade, Bullitt, Hardin, Grayson, Larue, Hart, Warren and Barren
Third District Nelson, Washington, Marion, Green, Taylor, Casey, Adair, Metcalfe, Russell, Monroe, Cumberland, Clinton, Lincoln, Garrard, Rockcastle, Jackson, Lee, Estill, Pulaski, Laurel, Clay, Leslie, Wayne, McCreary, Whitley, Knox and Bell
Fourth District Jefferson
Fifth District Anderson, Franklin, Scott, Woodford, Fayette, Bourbon, Mercer, Boyle, Jessamine, Clark and Madison
Sixth District Oldham, Trimble, Carroll, Gallatin, Boone, Kenton, Campbell, Pendleton, Spencer, Shelby, Henry, Owen, Grant, Harrison, Bracken, Mason, Robertson, Nicholas, Fleming, Bath and Lewis
Seventh District Montgomery, Powell, Menifee, Rowan, Carter, Greenup, Elliott, Boyd, Lawrence, Wolfe, Morgan, Magoffin, Johnson, Martin, Floyd, Owsley, Breathitt, Perry, Knott, Pike, Harlan, Letcher

Judicial selection

See also: Judicial selection in Kentucky

The fourteen judges of the Kentucky Court of Appeals are elected to eight-year terms in nonpartisan elections. They must run for re-election if they wish to serve subsequent terms.[3]

Qualifications

To serve on the Kentucky Court of Appeals, the judge must be:

  • a citizen of the United States,
  • a resident of both the Commonwealth, and of the district from which he is elected for two years next preceding his taking office,
  • licensed to practice law in the courts of the Commonwealth, and
  • a licensed attorney for at least eight years.[4][5][6]

Chief judge

The judges of the Kentucky Court of Appeals select one colleague to serve as chief judge for a four-year term. The chief judge assigns judges to their panels and designates cases for each panel.[3]

Vacancies

If a midterm vacancy occurs, the governor appoints a successor from a list of three names provided by the Kentucky Judicial Nominating Commission. If the term the appointee will fill expires at the next election, the appointment is for the remainder of the term. If the term does not expire at the next election and that election is more than three months away, the appointee must stand for election, and the election is for the remainder of the unexpired term. If the term does not expire at the next election, but the election is less than three months away, the appointee must stand for election in the election following the next. The election is for the remainder of the unexpired term, if any; if none of the term is left, the election is for a full term.[3]

Elections

2024

See also: Kentucky intermediate appellate court elections, 2024

Voters in Kentucky elected one candidate to fill the unexpired term of an intermediate appellate court judge. The seat was up for nonpartisan election on November 5, 2024. The primary election scheduled for May 21, 2024, was not needed after only two candidates filed for the one seat on the ballot. Both candidates advanced to the general election. The filing deadline was January 5, 2024.

Judge Donna Dixon retired from the court in November 2023.

Candidates and results

District 1, Division 2

General election

Special general election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 1st Division 2

Incumbent Lisa Payne Jones defeated Jason Shea Fleming in the special general election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 1st Division 2 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Lisa Payne Jones
Lisa Payne Jones (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
63.1
 
119,548
Image of Jason Shea Fleming
Jason Shea Fleming (Nonpartisan)
 
36.9
 
69,768

Total votes: 189,316
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Lisa Payne Jones and Jason Shea Fleming advanced from the special primary for Kentucky Court of Appeals 1st Division 2.

2022

See also: Kentucky intermediate appellate court elections, 2022

The terms of 14 Kentucky intermediate appellate court judges expired on January 1, 2023. The 14 seats were up for nonpartisan election on November 8, 2022.

Candidates and results

1st District, Division 1: McNeill's seat

General election

General election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 1st Division 1

Incumbent Chris McNeill won election in the general election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 1st Division 1 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Chris McNeill
Chris McNeill (Nonpartisan)
 
100.0
 
112,597

Total votes: 112,597
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Chris McNeill advanced from the primary for Kentucky Court of Appeals 1st Division 1.

1st District, Division 2: Dixon's seat

General election

General election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 1st Division 2

Incumbent Donna Dixon won election in the general election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 1st Division 2 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Donna Dixon
Donna Dixon (Nonpartisan)
 
100.0
 
111,833

Total votes: 111,833
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Donna Dixon advanced from the primary for Kentucky Court of Appeals 1st Division 2.

2nd District, Division 1: Taylor's seat

General election

General election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 2nd Division 1

Incumbent Jeff Taylor defeated David Clement in the general election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 2nd Division 1 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jeff Taylor
Jeff Taylor (Nonpartisan)
 
62.3
 
69,982
David Clement (Nonpartisan)
 
37.7
 
42,264

Total votes: 112,246
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Jeff Taylor and David Clement advanced from the primary for Kentucky Court of Appeals 2nd Division 1.

2nd District, Division 2: Kelly Thompson vacancy

General election

General election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 2nd Division 2

Kelly Mark Easton won election in the general election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 2nd Division 2 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Kelly Mark Easton (Nonpartisan)
 
100.0
 
100,856

Total votes: 100,856
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Kelly Mark Easton advanced from the primary for Kentucky Court of Appeals 2nd Division 2.

3rd District, Division 1: Caldwell's seat

General election

General election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 3rd Division 1

Incumbent Jacqueline Caldwell won election in the general election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 3rd Division 1 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jacqueline Caldwell
Jacqueline Caldwell (Nonpartisan)
 
100.0
 
110,011

Total votes: 110,011
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Jacqueline Caldwell advanced from the primary for Kentucky Court of Appeals 3rd Division 1.

3rd District, Division 2: Lambert's seat

General election

General election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 3rd Division 2

Incumbent James H. Lambert won election in the general election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 3rd Division 2 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of James H. Lambert
James H. Lambert (Nonpartisan)
 
100.0
 
110,550

Total votes: 110,550
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent James H. Lambert advanced from the primary for Kentucky Court of Appeals 3rd Division 2.

4th District, Division 1: Maze vacancy

General election

General election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 4th Division 1

Audra Jean Eckerle defeated Tricia Lister in the general election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 4th Division 1 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Audra Jean Eckerle
Audra Jean Eckerle (Nonpartisan)
 
58.9
 
121,461
Image of Tricia Lister
Tricia Lister (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
41.1
 
84,762

Total votes: 206,223
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Audra Jean Eckerle and Tricia Lister advanced from the primary for Kentucky Court of Appeals 4th Division 1.

4th District, Division 2: Clayton vacancy

General election

General election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 4th Division 2

Annette Karem defeated McKenzie Cantrell in the general election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 4th Division 2 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Annette Karem
Annette Karem (Nonpartisan)
 
50.9
 
103,062
Image of McKenzie Cantrell
McKenzie Cantrell (Nonpartisan)
 
49.1
 
99,407

Total votes: 202,469
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Kentucky Court of Appeals 4th Division 2

Annette Karem and McKenzie Cantrell defeated Stan Whetzel in the primary for Kentucky Court of Appeals 4th Division 2 on May 17, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Annette Karem
Annette Karem (Nonpartisan)
 
50.6
 
55,931
Image of McKenzie Cantrell
McKenzie Cantrell (Nonpartisan)
 
37.8
 
41,753
Image of Stan Whetzel
Stan Whetzel (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
11.6
 
12,791

Total votes: 110,475
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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5th District, Division 1: Goodwine's seat

General election

General election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 5th Division 1

Incumbent Pamela R. Goodwine won election in the general election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 5th Division 1 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Pamela R. Goodwine
Pamela R. Goodwine (Nonpartisan)
 
100.0
 
132,184

Total votes: 132,184
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Pamela R. Goodwine advanced from the primary for Kentucky Court of Appeals 5th Division 1.

5th District, Division 2: Acree's seat

General election

General election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 5th Division 2

Incumbent Glenn E. Acree won election in the general election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 5th Division 2 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Glenn E. Acree
Glenn E. Acree (Nonpartisan)
 
100.0
 
117,271

Total votes: 117,271
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Glenn E. Acree advanced from the primary for Kentucky Court of Appeals 5th Division 2.

6th District, Division 1: Jones' seat

General election

General election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 6th Division 1

Incumbent Allison Jones won election in the general election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 6th Division 1 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Allison Jones
Allison Jones (Nonpartisan)
 
100.0
 
117,304

Total votes: 117,304
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Allison Jones advanced from the primary for Kentucky Court of Appeals 6th Division 1.

6th District, Division 2: Cetrulo's seat

General election

General election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 6th Division 2

Incumbent Susanne Mowery Cetrulo defeated Robert Winter in the general election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 6th Division 2 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Susanne Mowery Cetrulo
Susanne Mowery Cetrulo (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
54.7
 
83,085
Image of Robert Winter
Robert Winter (Nonpartisan)
 
45.3
 
68,738

Total votes: 151,823
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Susanne Mowery Cetrulo and Robert Winter advanced from the primary for Kentucky Court of Appeals 6th Division 2.

7th District, Division 1: Combs' seat

General election

General election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 7th Division 1

Incumbent Sara Walter Combs won election in the general election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 7th Division 1 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Sara Walter Combs
Sara Walter Combs (Nonpartisan)
 
100.0
 
100,963

Total votes: 100,963
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Sara Walter Combs advanced from the primary for Kentucky Court of Appeals 7th Division 1.

7th District, Division 2: Larry Thompson's seat

General election

General election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 7th Division 2

Incumbent Larry E. Thompson won election in the general election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 7th Division 2 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Larry E. Thompson
Larry E. Thompson (Nonpartisan)
 
100.0
 
99,131

Total votes: 99,131
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Nonpartisan primary election

The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Larry E. Thompson advanced from the primary for Kentucky Court of Appeals 7th Division 2.

Judges not on the ballot


2020

See also: Kentucky intermediate appellate court elections, 2020

A special election was called for November 3, 2020, to replace former Judge Christopher Nickell, who was elected to the Kentucky Supreme Court in 2019.[7] His term was set to expire on January 1, 2023.

Incumbent Chris McNeill won election in the special general election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 1st Division 1.

2018

See also: Kentucky judicial elections, 2018

Candidates and results

5th District, Division 1: Johnson's seat

General election

General election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 5th Division 1

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Pamela R. Goodwine
Pamela R. Goodwine (Nonpartisan)
 
56.1
 
126,373
Robert Johnson (Nonpartisan)
 
43.9
 
98,861

Total votes: 225,234
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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7th District, Division 2: Smallwood's seat

General election

General election for Kentucky Court of Appeals 7th Division 2

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Larry E. Thompson
Larry E. Thompson (Nonpartisan)
 
53.9
 
64,551
Image of David Allen Barber
David Allen Barber (Nonpartisan)
 
46.1
 
55,310

Total votes: 119,861
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Primary election
Gene Smallwood Jr. (i)
David Allen Barber Green check mark transparent.png
Donald Combs
Kevin Sinnette
Larry E. Thompson (Kentucky) Green check mark transparent.png
Jim Vanover
Marcia Wireman

2014

See also: Kentucky judicial elections, 2014
Unopposed  Judge Christopher Nickell (1st District, 1st Division)
Unopposed  Judge Donna Dixon (1st District, 2nd Division)
Unopposed  Judge Jeff Taylor (Kentucky judge) (2nd District, 1st Division)

2nd District, 2nd Division

CandidateIncumbencyPrimary VoteElection Vote
FlenerMark H. Flener No28.6%ApprovedA30.0%   Red x.svgD
ThompsonKelly Thompson (Kentucky)ApprovedAYes63.4%ApprovedA70.0%   ApprovedA
OnyekwulujeOsi Onyekwuluje No8.0% 

3rd District, 1st Division

CandidateIncumbencyPrimary VoteElection Vote
LambertDebra Hembree LambertApprovedANo53.4%   ApprovedA
CapertonMichael Caperton Yes46.6%   Red x.svgD

3rd District, 2nd Division

CandidateIncumbencyPrimary VoteElection Vote
LambertJames LambertApprovedAYes70.0%   ApprovedA
HendersonPaul F. Henderson No30.0%   Red x.svgD
Unopposed  Judge Irv Maze (4th District, 1st Division)
Unopposed   Stan Whetzel (4th District, 2nd Division)
Unopposed  Judge Laurance VanMeter (5th District, 1st Division)
Unopposed  Judge Glenn Acree (5th District, 2nd Division)

6th District, 1st Division

CandidateIncumbencyPrimary VoteElection Vote
JonesAllison JonesApprovedAYes60.8%   ApprovedA
SandersJustin Sanders No39.2%   Red x.svgD
Unopposed  Judge Joy A. Kramer (6th District, 2nd Division)
Unopposed  Judge Sara Combs (7th District, 1st Division)

7th District, 2nd Division

CandidateIncumbencyPrimary VoteElection Vote
StumboJanet StumboApprovedAYes64.5%   ApprovedA
VarneyW. Kent Varney No35.5%   Red x.svgD

2012

See also: Kentucky judicial elections, 2012
CandidateIncumbencyPrimary VoteElection Vote
MazeIrv Maze    No40%50.79%   
ShakeJim Shake    No38%49.21%   
Cox PenceRuth Ann Cox Pence    No22% 

Ethics

The Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct sets forth ethical guidelines and principles for the conduct of judges and judicial candidates in Kentucky. It consists of five overarching canons:

  • Canon 1: A judge shall uphold and promote the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.
  • Canon 2: A judge shall perform the duties of judicial office impartially, competently, and diligently.
  • Canon 3: A judge shall conduct the judge's personal and extrajudicial activities to minimize the risk of conflict with the obligations of judicial office.
  • Canon 4: A judge or candidate for judicial office shall not engage in political or campaign activity that is inconsistent with the independence, integrity, or impartiality of the judiciary. This canon is to be interpreted consistent with the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, other constitutional requirements, statutes, other court rules, and decisional law.[8][6]

The full text of the Kentucky Code of Judicial Conduct can be found here.

Removal of judges

Any judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals can be removed by the Kentucky Judicial Conduct Commission. The commission is composed of the following:

Any individual or group may file a complaint against a sitting judge for possible judicial misconduct or wrongdoing.[10]

Alternatively, judges may also be impeached by the Kentucky House of Representatives and convicted by a two-thirds vote of the Kentucky Senate.[11]

State profile

Demographic data for Kentucky
 KentuckyU.S.
Total population:4,424,611316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):39,4863,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:87.6%73.6%
Black/African American:7.9%12.6%
Asian:1.3%5.1%
Native American:0.2%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0%0.2%
Two or more:2.1%3%
Hispanic/Latino:3.3%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:84.2%86.7%
College graduation rate:22.3%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$43,740$53,889
Persons below poverty level:22.7%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Kentucky.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

Presidential voting pattern

See also: Presidential voting trends in Kentucky

Kentucky voted Republican in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.

Pivot Counties (2016)

Ballotpedia identified 206 counties that voted for Donald Trump (R) in 2016 after voting for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012. Collectively, Trump won these Pivot Counties by more than 580,000 votes. Of these 206 counties, one is located in Kentucky, accounting for 0.5 percent of the total pivot counties.[12]

Pivot Counties (2020)

In 2020, Ballotpedia re-examined the 206 Pivot Counties to view their voting patterns following that year's presidential election. Ballotpedia defined those won by Trump won as Retained Pivot Counties and those won by Joe Biden (D) as Boomerang Pivot Counties. Nationwide, there were 181 Retained Pivot Counties and 25 Boomerang Pivot Counties. Kentucky had one Retained Pivot County, 0.55 percent of all Retained Pivot Counties.

More Kentucky coverage on Ballotpedia

See also

Kentucky Judicial Selection More Courts
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Courts in Kentucky
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Kentucky Supreme Court
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Gubernatorial appointments
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External links

Footnotes