In Kentucky, it can be challenging to keep track of what happens when during election season. When is the filing deadline, what’s the last date to switch parties before the primary, when does early voting start?
We put together this timeline to make it easy to double check key dates. Feel free to bookmark, peruse and share with anyone who also has trouble remembering all these dates.
Nov. 5, 2025: First day candidates can file with the Secretary of State to officially launch their candidacy. (In order to officially be a candidate, they also need to have filed with KREF).
Dec. 31, 2025: Last day for residents to change political parties if they want to vote in that political party’s primary election.
Jan. 9, 2026: Candidate filing deadline: Deadline for candidates to file with the county to run for office in 2026.
Jan. 15, 2026: Public drawing for ballot positions. Drawings take place in the county clerk offices and the secretary of state offices.
April 4, 2026: Mail in absentee request form opens. Portal closes May 5.
April 20, 2026: Last day to register to vote in the primary election
May 5, 2025: Mail-in absentee request portal closes at 11:59 p.m.
May 6, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting begins.
May 7, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting
May 8, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting
May 11, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting
May 12, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting; last day to apply for a military-overseas ballot.
May 13, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting
May 14, 2026: In-person, no excuse absentee voting begins
May 15, 2026: In-person, no excuse absentee voting
May 16, 2026: In-person, no excuse absentee voting
May 19, 2026: Primary Election Day. Polls open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
May 26, 2026: Deadline for county to submit certified results of the election to the Secretary of State; also the deadline to request a recanvass
June 2, 2026: Filing deadline for November election
June 4, 2026: Public drawing for ballot positions at county clerks and secretary of state offices
Aug. 11, 2026: Candidate filing deadline for independent, political organization or political group candidates to file a petition due to a vacancy occurring after the June filing deadline but less than three months before the election.
Aug. 24, 2026: Last day to file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidate
Sept. 14, 2026: Deadline for printing regular and absentee ballots
Sept. 19, 2026: Online mail-in absentee request portal opens (closes Oct. 20)
Oct. 5, 2026: Last day to register to vote in the General Election
Oct. 20, 2026: Online mail-in absentee request portal closes
Oct. 21, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting starts
Oct. 22, 2026: Excused, in person absentee voting
Oct. 23, 2026: Excused, in person absentee voting
Oct. 26, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting
Oct. 27, 2026: Excused, in person absentee voting; last day to apply for a military overseas ballot
Oct. 28, 2026: Excused, in person absentee voting
Oct. 29, 2026: In-person, no-excuse voting begins
Oct. 30, 2026: In-person, no-excuse voting
Oct. 31, 2026: In-person, no excuse voting
Nov. 3, 2026: General Election Day
Nov. 10, 2026: Deadline for counties to provide certified election results; deadline to request recanvass
