In light of the upcoming election, thousands of Kentuckians have switched political parties over the past three months, apparently in hopes of voting in Kentucky's Democratic presidential primary.

Secretary of State Trey Grayson says Kentucky law forbids people who switch parties after December 31 from voting in the presidential primary.

He also said Kentucky election officials have warned political groups and campaign workers that there will be no benefit from encouraging Republicans and Independents to switch their party affiliation before the primary.

Some 9,000 people have switched parties since January 1.