What’s this all about?

NKY Election HQ is LINK nky’s commitment to one of the most important public-interest efforts in our region: helping Northern Kentucky voters make sense of their elections.

With three counties, 36 cities and 13 public school districts, understanding who’s running and why it matters can be overwhelming. In 2024, we profiled 222 candidates, and that was just those running in contested races.

Our comprehensive coverage ensures that voters have access to everything they need to know before, during, and after the election — because informed participation is at the heart of what advances our community.

Find out more about what’s at stake in this election here.

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What’s at stake?
Races to keep an eye on
How do primaries work?
The importance of GOP primaries
Make your voting plan
Key dates
Check your registration
NKY public offices explained

It’s 2025. How has the 2026 election already started?

Nov. 5 is the first day Kentucky allows those seeking office to register with the Secretary of State for the Primary Election in May, one of two steps required to officially become a candidate.

The window to register for the May primary ends Jan. 9, 2026. The filling deadline for the General Election in November is June 2, 2026.

Next year is big for Northern Kentucky: from filling United States Sen. Mitch McConnell’s seat to local state and house races to judges/executive, mayors, city councils and commissioners, there’s a lot on the ballot.

That’s why we started early. Bookmark this page and come back early and often to find updates and new information affecting your decisions at the ballot next year at your NKY Election HQ.

Voting 101

How do you check if you’re registered?

You can find out if you are registered to vote at vrsws.sos.ky.gov/vic. Update your registration by filing out papers at your county clerk’s office or electronically at vrsws.sos.ky.gov/ovrweb.

Key Dates

  • Dec. 31, 2025, last day to change political party affiliation (find out why you need to do that here)
  • April 20 Last day to register to vote
  • May 6-8 and May 11-13 In-person, excused absentee voting
  • May 14 -16 In-person, no-excuse absentee voting
  • May 19, 2026 Election Day

*Find a more detailed timeline of the 2026 elections here.

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NKY public offices explained

What does a school board do?
What does a county jailer do?
What does a county commissioner do?
Why you should care about who your mayor is?
How does a city council, commission or manager work?
What does a Property Valuation Administrator do?
What does a county clerk do?
What does a county surveyor do?
What does a county attorney do?
What does a county judge/executive do?
What do Ky’s House and Senate do?

Help keep Northern Kentucky informed

During election season, reliable local news is more important than ever. LINK nky is here to keep you informed — with clear, fact-based coverage about the issues, candidates, and decisions that matter most to Northern Kentucky.

Your support makes this possible. Help us continue to deliver election coverage you can trust by contributing to LINK nky today.

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