How to Vote in Kentucky’s 2024 Elections
Important dates and election information
Last day to request a mail-in absentee ballot: Tuesday, Oct. 22
Last day of early in-person voting: Saturday, Nov. 2
Deadline to return an absentee ballot: Tuesday, Nov. 5, 6 p.m.
Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 5
Voting at a glance
- Voter registration: The deadline to register for the Tuesday, Nov. 5, general election is Monday, Oct. 7 at 4 p.m. Visit the state’s voter information center to check your status.
- Absentee voting: This option is available to registered voters who meet certain criteria, including residents temporarily living out of state or voters who are unable to vote in person because of an illness or disability.
- Early voting: All registered voters can vote early and in person from Thursday, Oct. 31, to Saturday, Nov. 2.
- Voting at the polls: Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Bring a government-issued photo ID. You can vote without one, but it requires additional paperwork.
Recent voting changes in Kentucky
A 2022 law added six days of early in-person voting for those with an eligible excuse. A 2024 law expanded the list of eligible excuses to include being out of town during early voting times. The six days are in addition to the three days of early voting offered to all registered voters.
If a voter who is incarcerated but not convicted wants a mail-in absentee ballot, jail staff must ensure the voter is allowed to contact their county clerk to obtain one.
A redistricting plan changed certain boundaries of some state legislative and U.S. congressional districts and may affect which candidates appear on your ballot. Find your polling place here.
How to register to vote
Register online, by mail, or in person.
- Online: Visit the state’s online voter registration portal. Registrations must be received by 4 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7.
- By mail: Print out a copy of the registration application and submit it to your county clerk’s office. Postage is required. Registrations must be postmarked by Monday, Oct. 7.
- In person: Visit your county clerk’s office during business hours. Or you can register when applying for or renewing your driver’s license, or when visiting some of Kentucky’s social service agencies.
The State Board of Elections purged inactive voters from the voter rolls in February 2023. To check your registration status, sign in to the state’s voter information center.
Registering to vote on Election Day
Kentucky does not have same-day voter registration.
How to request an absentee ballot
Kentucky voters who meet certain criteria can request an absentee ballot. For example, if you are temporarily out of state or unable to vote in person because of work, age, disability or illness, you may qualify. Requests must be submitted by Tuesday, Oct. 22.
- In person: Visit your county clerk’s office to request an absentee ballot.
- Online: Visit the state’s absentee request portal between Saturday, Sept. 21, and Tuesday, Oct. 22, to request an absentee ballot.
- By phone: Call your county clerk’s office to make an absentee ballot request.
Returning an absentee ballot
Completed absentee ballots must be received by your county clerk by 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5. To return your ballot:
- By mail: Use proper postage and send to your county clerk’s office with enough time that it is received by 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
- In person: Return your completed ballot to your county clerk’s office by 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
- Drop box: Drop box locations are provided with the polling locations for your county.
Track the status of your absentee ballot through the voter information portal at govote.ky.gov.
Voting in person before Election Day
Kentucky offers six days of excused in-person absentee voting to registered voters who meet certain criteria, such as people with scheduled surgery, in addition to the three days of early voting available during the no-excuse absentee voting period. Excused in-person voting will be held Wednesday, Oct. 23, through Friday, Oct. 25, and Monday, Oct. 28, through Wednesday, Oct. 30. Contact your county clerk’s office for hours and locations.
Early voting for all registered voters, which is also called in-person no-excuse absentee voting, will be held Thursday, Oct. 31, through Saturday, Nov. 2. Contact your county clerk’s office for hours and locations.
Voting at the polls on Election Day
Find your polling location on the State Board of Elections website. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5. If you are in line before the polls close, you will be allowed to vote. Sample ballots will be available at govote.ky.gov.
Voter ID requirements on Election Day
A photo ID that includes your name is required. Acceptable forms of identification include a Kentucky driver’s license, U.S. passport or other photo ID issued by the federal, state or local government.
If you don’t bring a photo ID, you can show another acceptable form of ID and fill out additional paperwork at the polls to vote. Watch this video to learn more.
Voting with a disability
You can bring anyone to the polls to help you vote as long as that person is not your employer or from your union.
If you have a disability that prevents you from marking a paper ballot, you can request an accessible absentee ballot through the state's accessible absentee portal. Contact your county clerk for more information.
Voting from a nursing home or long-term care facility
If you live in a nursing home or long-term care facility, your facility administrator can coordinate with local election officials to ensure you have an opportunity to vote. Absentee voting is also an option.
Editor’s note: This guide was originally published on Jan. 30, 2024. It has been updated with new information about 2024 elections.
Michelle Tuccitto Sullo is a contributing writer covering state and federal policy. She previously served as managing editor of the Hartford Business Journal in Connecticut and has worked for the New Haven Register, Connecticut Law Tribune and New Haven Biz.
Maura Kelly Lannan contributed to this report.
