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Kentucky · How-To Guide

How do I register to vote or check my registration?

County Clerk (county level - each of Kentucky's 120 counties) / Kentucky State Board of Elections (state level)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Confirm eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen, Kentucky resident for at least 28 days before the election, at least 18 years old by Election Day, not declared mentally incompetent by a court, not currently incarcerated for a felony conviction (restored voting rights: see State Notes), and not claiming the right to vote elsewhere
  2. Choose your registration method:
  3. ONLINE: govote.ky.gov - requires current Kentucky driver's license; received by 4:00 PM deadline before Election Day
  4. BY MAIL: Download voter registration form from elect.ky.gov; complete, sign, and mail to your County Clerk; must be postmarked by the registration deadline (29 days before Election Day)
  5. IN PERSON: County Clerk's office; Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (DMV) license offices; many government assistance offices - in-person deadline 29 days before Election Day
  6. Submit registration at least 29 days before Election Day
  7. Receive voter confirmation card from your County Clerk confirming enrollment and listing your polling place; verify all information for errors
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Current Kentucky driver's license number (for online registration)
  • OR Social Security number, date of birth, and current Kentucky address
Fee
Free REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 29 days before Election Day (online received by 4:00 PM; mail postmarked by deadline) 2026 DEADLINES: Primary (May 19, 2026): April 20, 2026; General (November 3, 2026): October 5, 2026 NO SAME-DAY REGISTRATION: Kentucky does NOT offer same-day voter registration CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION: govote.ky.gov or vrsws.sos.ky.gov/vic EARLY VOTING (limited): Kentucky offers NO-EXCUSE early voting Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before Election Day at County Clerk's office or designated locations; for other periods, excused absentee is required ABSENTEE VOTING BY MAIL: Kentucky has limited absentee/mail ballot options requiring an excuse (age, disability/illness, military, student outside county, medical emergency); any registered voter may vote absentee in-person at the County Clerk's office (excused) ALL VOTERS - NO-EXCUSE IN-PERSON EARLY: Thursday, Friday, Saturday before Election Day (no excuse needed for in-person early at County Clerk) ONLINE OPTION: Yes - govote.ky.gov WHERE TO GO: County Clerk's office; DMV offices; public assistance agencies
Online Option
Yes - govote.ky.gov
Where to Go
County Clerk's office; DMV offices; public assistance agencies
County-specific variations apply

Voter registration and elections administered by County Clerks in each of Kentucky's 120 counties. Early voting locations and satellite sites vary by county. Moving between Kentucky counties: update registration with new county clerk. Jefferson County (Louisville) and Fayette County (Lexington) have the most early voting locations. Contact your specific county clerk for local early voting sites and hours.

Kentucky Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Kentucky conducts CLOSED PRIMARIES - voters registered as Democrat may only vote in Democratic primary; Republicans in Republican primary; unaffiliated voters may only vote on non-partisan races and issues (if any) in primaries.
  • FELONY CONVICTION: Kentucky requires completion of all terms including incarceration, parole, and probation for voting rights to be restored; voting rights are NOT automatically restored upon release in Kentucky - felons must petition the Governor for restoration OR have been pardoned. Contact Kentucky Department of Corrections Voter Eligibility: secure.kentucky.gov/Corrections/VoterEligibility. (Note: Some changes have occurred in recent years - verify current law with the Secretary of State's office.)
  • NO same-day voter registration.
  • NO no-excuse absentee by mail (except: three in-person early voting days before Election Day have no excuse requirement).
  • PHOTO ID REQUIRED to vote: Kentucky driver's license or state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or government-issued ID with photo, name, and either an address or signature.
  • Residency: must be a Kentucky resident for at least 28 days before Election Day (unlike most states' 30-day requirement).
  • Polls open 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Kentucky State Board of Elections - elect.ky.gov | (502) 573-7100; govote.ky.gov to register or check status; County Clerk (varies by county)