| logout
Kentucky House Majority Caucus — Legislative Update
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
By Representative Scott Lewis
Primary Election Day: Vote, volunteer, participate
The 2026 Primary Election Day is Tuesday, May 19, while in-person, excused absentee voting is open May 6-8 and 11-13, and anyone can vote early May 14-16. In just a few days, Kentuckians will have a chance to make their voices heard and take part in shaping the future of their communities.
As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, we have a rare opportunity to reflect not just on where America has been, but on what has sustained it. By that I mean the steady, often unglamorous work of citizens showing up. Not just in moments of crisis or celebration, but in the routine rhythms of civic life: voting, volunteering and participating in elections that shape our communities and our future.
It is easy to think of patriotism in grand terms. But patriotism, at its core, is participation. It is the act of taking ownership in a government that depends entirely on the consent and involvement of the governed. And, there are few expressions of that principle more direct than casting a ballot.
Voting is the most accessible way most Americans engage with their government, but it is not the only way. Our elections depend on thousands of citizens who give their time to make the process work: the poll workers who arrive before dawn and stay well past closing, the volunteers who ensure voters are checked in and ballots are counted, and the everyday people who step forward to help campaigns or advocate for causes they believe in. We owe these folks a tremendous debt of gratitude.
These roles matter. They are the thread that runs between our ideals and our institutions.
Our own history underscores that truth. In the early 20th century, amid a wave of reforms aimed at making government more responsive and accountable, the commonwealth took a significant step toward expanding democratic participation. An act approved by the legislature on March 5, 1912, established that “all candidates for elective offices to be voted for at any general election shall be nominated” through primary elections conducted under the law.
It was a structural change, but more importantly, it was a philosophical one. It shifted power away from party insiders and toward voters themselves, acknowledging that democracy works best when more people have a voice in choosing their leaders.
Participation takes many forms. Serving as a poll worker is one of the most direct ways to contribute. It is also one of the most underappreciated. These individuals are entrusted with safeguarding the integrity of the process and ensuring that every eligible voter can cast a ballot and that every vote is handled with care. In an era when confidence in institutions can feel fragile, their work is essential.
Even small actions matter. Encouraging a neighbor to vote. Helping someone understand what’s on the ballot. Taking the time to learn about the issues rather than tuning them out. These are the building blocks of a healthy republic.
As we look toward America’s 250th birthday, it is worth remembering that the country was not built solely by those whose names appear in textbooks. It was built and sustained by generations of citizens who chose to engage. Who believed their voice mattered, and acted on that belief.
That responsibility now rests with us. The future of our communities, our state and our nation will not be decided by abstract forces. It will be shaped by the choices of individuals who show up and take the time to be involved.
So vote. Volunteer. Participate. Be part of the process in whatever way you can. Democracy is not a spectator sport. And at 250 years, America’s story is still being written by all of us.
Whether you need to check your registration, find your polling location or learn more about what’s on the ballot, the Secretary of State’s office has made it easy to get informed. Voters can access reliable, up-to-date information at the official GoVoteKY portal: https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/ovrweb/govoteky/.
As always, I can be reached anytime through the toll-free message line in Frankfort at 1-800-372-7181. You can also contact me via email at [email protected] and keep track through the Kentucky legislature’s website at legislature.ky.gov.
Posted in News
