Yates Announces Agreed Order Protecting Voters During Boundary Review

Published on October 21, 2026

Jefferson County Clerk David Yates announced that an agreed order has been entered in Franklin Circuit Court to temporarily restore certain voter registrations affected by a recent GIS-based review of disputed county boundary lines involving Jefferson, Oldham, and Bullitt counties.

The agreed order filed with Judge Phillip J. Shepherd by Yates, in his official capacity as Jefferson County Clerk v. Michael Adams, in his official capacity as Kentucky Secretary of State, provides that voters whose registrations were transferred as part of the state-directed boundary review process will be returned to the county where they were registered before the review began. The restoration will be effective for the November 3, 2026 General Election and will remain in place while the litigation is pending.

"This agreement provides stability and certainty for affected voters as we approach the 2026 General Election," said Clerk Yates. "Residents who have relied for decades on longstanding county boundaries and voting arrangements should not be caught in the middle of unresolved disputes. This order ensures voters can continue participating in elections while state and local officials work toward a permanent solution."

This agreement does not include reassigned voters in Spencer, Shelby, Hardin or Henry County. Each of those counties were removed from the agreement by their respective county clerks in an agreed order of partial dismissal.

The parties agreed that the county boundary issues have existed for years and involve broader questions beyond voter registration, including taxation, public services, school attendance, and property records. According to the agreed order, the Kentucky General Assembly intends to form a working group to study these issues and develop recommendations for addressing the long-disputed boundary lines and their impacts.

The order does not resolve the underlying boundary disputes and does not determine any voter's permanent county of residence. Instead, it serves as a temporary measure designed to prevent disruption and confusion for affected voters while the issues are reviewed.

Under the agreement, affected voters will be restored to their previous county registration without needing to take any action themselves.

"Our priority is protecting voters and preserving confidence in the electoral process," Yates said. "I appreciate the willingness of all parties to work together on a practical solution that safeguards voters while allowing time for a thorough review of these complex issues."

The Franklin Circuit Court will retain jurisdiction over the matter, and the agreed order will remain in effect until further order of the court, dismissal of the action, or a subsequent agreement of the parties.