LOUISVILLE, Ky. - For the first time since 2003, voter turnout in a general election topped 40%.  Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes had speculated low turnout but was proven wrong.

According to the unofficial numbers from the Kentucky State Board of Elections, of the more than 3.4 million registered voters in the Commonwealth, 1.4 million or 42% exercised their right to vote. More than half of the 120 counties in Kentucky saw voter turnout numbers over 40%, including the largest counties in the state, Jefferson (45%) and Fayette (47%).  Several counties, including Woodford, Franklin, and Hancock, saw turnout above 50%.

This is quite the stark contrast to the primary election in May when voter turnout was only 19%.

The voter turnout for this year's general election is considerably higher than it was in 2015 when Matt Bevin first ran for governor against Democrat Jack Conway.  That year only 31% of registered voters went to the polls.

Spectrum News 1 wanted to see what vote totals have been like over the years when Kentuckians were voting for a governor.  2019 saw the highest voter turnout since 1995 when then Lt. Governor, Paul Patton was running for the state's highest office against Republican politician Larry Forgy.

The lowest turnout for a general election took place in 1999 when Governor Paul Patton was running for reelection against Josephine "Peppy" Martin. Only 20% of the 2.6 million registered voters took the time to cast a vote.

The results of Kentucky's General Election don't necessarily predict what will happen in 2020 with the presidential election, but it has shown both the Democratic and the Republican parties that voters will go to the polls and that nothing can be taken for granted.