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Voter turnout varied widely across Kentucky in May 19 primary.Voter turnout varied widely across Kentucky in May 19 primary Small, rural counties recorded highest participation while larger counties lagged behind LEXINGTON, Ky.(WKYT) - Voter turnout varied widely across Kentucky in the May 19 primary election, with participation highest in several small, rural counties and lowest in a number of larger-population counties, according to county-level totals of ballots cast compared with April voter registration figures.Turnout in northern Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, which featured the most expensive U.S.House primary ever recorded, was slightly lower than the rest of the state.WKYT Investigates analyzed unofficial, county-level election data from the Kentucky Secretary of State.Highest turnout counties - Owsley County recorded the highest turnout at 51.9%, with 1,712 ballots cast among 3,302 registered voters.- Monroe County followed at 51.7% with 4,140 ballots among 8,015 registered voters.- Cumberland County had 48.8% turnout with 2,578 ballots among 5,287 registered voters.- Clinton County posted 46.1% with 3,382 ballots among 7,365 registered voters.Lowest turnout counties - Elliott County had the lowest turnout at 12.4%, with 586 ballots cast among 4,721 registered voters.- Christian County posted 15.9% with 7,271 ballots among 45,800 registered voters.- McCracken County was at 16.8% with 10,039 ballots among 59,694 registered voters.- Warren County at 17.5% with 16,151 ballots among 92,382 registered voters.- Hardin County at 19.2% with 15,837 ballots among 82,307 registered voters.Owsley County races In Owsley County, voters had U.S.Senate and the 5th Congressional District contest on the ballot along with numerous local races, including primaries for judge-executive, county clerk and sheriff.More voters cast ballots in the sheriff races than any other contest on the county’s ballot.4th District contest The state’s marquee contest unfolded in northern Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District, where Rep.Thomas Massie sought the Republican nomination for an eighth full term against Ed Gallrein, a farmer and former Navy SEAL who entered the race after encouragement from former President Donald Trump.The contest became the most expensive U.S.House primary ever recorded, with more than $32 million in ad spending tracked by AdImpact.Turnout across the 4th District’s 21 counties was slightly lower than the rest of Kentucky, with about 25.3% of registered voters casting ballots in the district, compared with 25.8% in the state’s other counties.Statewide turnout was about 25.7% based on county totals.Massie, a frequent critic of Trump despite their shared party affiliation, opposed Trump’s signature tax package and the war with Iran, and has been a leader in efforts to release files tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Gallrein ran with Trump’s backing in a district the former president carried comfortably.Massie held a fundraising advantage, but Gallrein remained competitive.The incumbent outspent his challenger by more than 2-to-1 over the course of the campaign, though both began the month with comparable cash on hand.The 4th District stretches along the Ohio River and borders Indiana and Ohio.Trump won about 67% of the district’s vote in the 2024 general election, carrying all 21 counties in the district with at least 59%, according to election results.Copyright 2026 WKYT.All rights reserved.