As Kentucky prepares for the 2026 general election, high school students across the Commonwealth are getting involved before they ever step into a voting booth. Through Kentucky Electric Cooperatives’ Co-op Champions program, the association representing all 26 electric cooperatives in the Commonwealth, students led voter registration drives in their schools this fall, encouraging peers to take the first step toward participating in the upcoming election.
This year, fourteen high school seniors took part in the leadership initiative after serving as delegates on the weeklong Electric Cooperative Washington Youth Tour. Rooted in the cooperative principles of Kentucky’s member-owned electric cooperatives, the Co-op Champions program challenges students to bring what they learned on Youth Tour back to their schools and communities, giving them opportunities to lead, engage in civic life and put their experiences into practice.
As part of their commitment to their schools and communities, each Co-op Champion hosted a Co-ops Vote registration drive at their high school. The 2026 Co-ops Vote effort began in March during the Frankfort Youth Tour with Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams and more than 90 high school juniors. Co-ops Vote is a nonpartisan initiative of America’s electric cooperatives that promotes civic engagement, encourages voter participation and helps communities understand the importance of taking part in the electoral process.
Throughout the fall, the effort unfolded in high school hallways, cafeterias, and classrooms across Kentucky as Co-op Champions put their Youth Tour experience to work in their own communities. With support from their local electric cooperatives, students coordinated with school leaders and classmates to create opportunities for civic engagement close to home and encourage more young Kentuckians to register to vote.
“By encouraging young Kentuckians to register, speak up, and get involved, we’re empowering them to shape their communities and the future of our Commonwealth,” said Kentucky Secretary of State Michael G. Adams, praising the initiative.
Voter registration drives were held across the Commonwealth by:
- Jackson Purchase Energy
- Grant Seaton, McCracken County High School, Paducah
- Nolin RECC
- Madison Smith, Hardin County Schools Early College and Career Center, Elizabethtown
- Owen Electric
- Lillian Grothaus and Noah Wodrig, Walton County Old Fashion Day, Walton
- Salt River Electric
- Kate Jarboe, Walton County Old Fashion Day, Walton
- Eli Kennington, Mason Mattingly and George Thomas, Bullitt East High School, Mt. Washington
- Pennyrile Electric
- Kady Fuller, Trigg County High School, Cadiz
- Brayana Jones, Christina County High School, Hopkinsville
- South Kentucky RECC
- Micah Pryor and Gabby McGinnis, Wayne County High School, Monticello
- West Kentucky RECC
- Emily Wade, Calloway County High School, Murray
- Taylor County RECC
- John Zottman, Taylor County High School, Campbellsville
Photos and video from the voter registration drives can be found at this link.
Kentucky Electric Cooperatives coordinates the Frankfort Youth Tour and Washington Youth Tour, helping young people gain first-hand experience with local and federal government, engage in civic activities, and take an active role in their communities. Backed by their local electric cooperatives, delegates return from these experiences ready to inspire their peers and take on community leadership roles, as evidenced by the impactful student voter registration drives.