How to vote in Kentucky

Registration deadlines, ID, mail and early voting in Kentucky, in plain English, with the official links. The Kentucky State Board of Elections is the final word on every rule.

Check your registration Register online Official election office
Register online Yes: 29 days before Election Day, by 4 p.m. local time (October 5 for the November 3, 2026 election)
Register by mail Postmarked by the registration deadline, 29 days before Election Day
Register in person By close of business at the county clerk's office 29 days before Election Day
Same-day registration No
Voter ID Photo ID is required at the polls (issued by the U.S., Kentucky, the military, a college, or a Kentucky local government).
Voting by mail Absentee ballot by mail only with an excuse (such as age, disability, illness, or absence on all in-person voting days); request at least 14 days before, and it must be received by 6 p.m. on Election Day.
Early voting No-excuse in-person early voting on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday before Election Day, plus excused in-person absentee voting on earlier days.
Statewide elections in 2027 Statewide primary May 18, 2027 and general election November 2, 2027 (Governor and other statewide constitutional offices).

Checked against the Kentucky election office's website on November 8, 2026. Deadlines are for general elections; primaries, runoffs and local elections can differ. Military and overseas voters have their own rules at FVAP.gov.

Official sources

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