Nominations for unexpired terms -- Grouping of candidates on ballot -- Ineligibility of Senior Status Special Judge
KRS 118.115
in effect118.115. Nominations for unexpired terms -- Grouping of candidates on ballot -- Ineligibility of Senior Status Special Judge
(1) Except as provided in KRS 83A.045(2)(b) governing vacancies in candidacy, candidates for unexpired terms to be filled at a regular election shall be nominated at the primary next preceding the regular election, if the vacancy occurred not less than one hundred sixty (160) days before the primary.
(2) If the vacancy occurred less than one hundred sixty (160) days before the primary, the nomination shall be made in a manner determined by the governing authority of the political party concerned as defined in KRS 118.015. Certificates of nomination shall be filed as required with the Secretary of State or county clerk not later than the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June preceding the day fixed by law for the election.
(3) If the vacancy occurs after the first Tuesday after the first Monday in June preceding the day fixed by law for the election, but not less than three (3) months before the regular election, the nomination shall be made in a manner determined by the governing authority of the political party concerned as defined in KRS 118.015. Certificates of nomination shall be filed as required with the Secretary of State or county clerk not later than the second Tuesday in August preceding the regular election sought.
(4) Independent, political organization, or political group candidates filing to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term shall be governed by KRS 118.375.
(5) In the preparation of ballots, candidates for full terms shall be grouped together, and candidates for unexpired terms shall be grouped together, under appropriate headings, so that the voter may easily distinguish the candidates for full terms from the candidates for unexpired terms.
(6) A judge who elected to retire as a Senior Status Special Judge in accordance with KRS 21.580 shall not become a candidate or a nominee for any elected office during the five (5) year term prescribed in KRS 21.580(1)(a)1., regardless of the number of days served by the judge acting as a Senior Status Special Judge.
Effective:April 7, 2022
History: Amended 2022 Ky. Acts ch. 87, sec. 18, effective April 7, 2022. -- Amended 2019 Ky. Acts ch. 187, sec. 10, effective November 6, 2019. -- Amended 2013 Ky. Acts ch. 66, sec. 2, effective June 25, 2013. -- Amended 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 48, sec. 38, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1988 Ky. Acts ch. 17, sec. 9, effective July 15, 1988. -- Amended 1984 Ky. Acts ch. 185, sec. 9, effective July 13, 1984. -- Created 1974 Ky. Acts ch. 130, sec. 101, effective June 21, 1974.
Source: Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (legislature.ky.gov)URL: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=52138Fetched: 10/20/2026