The exterior of the Kenton County Library in Covington during Election Day 2024. Photo by Kenton Hornbeck | LINK nky

Northern Kentucky voters who want to cast their ballots before Election Day will have three days to do so, beginning Thursday, Oct. 29.

Registered voters in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties can participate in early voting from Oct. 29 through Saturday, Oct. 31, ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

Unlike Election Day, when voters go to their assigned polling locations, early voting allows residents to cast their ballots at designated voting centers throughout their county.

Here’s what Northern Kentucky voters need to know about early voting, including who is eligible, how it works and where to cast a ballot.

What is early voting?

Early voting allows registered voters to cast their ballots in person before Election Day without needing to provide a reason for voting early.

Kentucky offers three days of no-excuse, in-person early voting on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday immediately preceding Election Day.

The process is similar to voting on Election Day. Voters check in at a designated voting location, verify their identity and cast their ballots.

Who can vote early?

Any registered voter in Kentucky who is eligible to vote in the election can participate in no-excuse early voting.

Voters do not need to be out of town, have a medical condition or provide any other justification to cast their ballots before Election Day.

However, voters must cast their ballots at an early voting location within the county where they are registered. For example, a Boone County voter cannot cast a ballot at an early voting center in Kenton County.

How is early voting different from Election Day voting?

The biggest difference between early voting and Election Day voting is when and where residents can cast their ballots.

Early voting takes place over three days at a limited number of designated locations in each county. Hours vary by county, and in Boone County, they also vary by day.

Election Day voting takes place Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time across Kentucky. Voters must use a polling location authorized for them on Election Day, which may differ from the early voting locations listed below.

Early voting also differs from absentee voting by mail. During early voting, residents cast their ballots in person, while mail-in absentee voting requires voters to meet Kentucky’s eligibility requirements and follow a separate application process.

Where can I vote early in Northern Kentucky?

Boone County

Boone County will have two early voting locations:

Hours at both locations:

  • Thursday, Oct. 29: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Friday, Oct. 30: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 31: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kenton County

Kenton County will have five early voting locations:

Hours at all five locations:

  • Thursday, Oct. 29, through Saturday, Oct. 31: 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

Campbell County

Campbell County will have three early voting locations:

Hours at all three locations:

  • Thursday, Oct. 29, through Saturday, Oct. 31: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.

Learn more about who is running for office by checking out LINK nky’s Election HQ, which has profiles of every candidate on the ballot.

Voters who do not participate in early voting can still cast their ballots on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voters can check their registration information and find their assigned Election Day polling locations through the Kentucky State Board of Elections’ Voter Information Center.

For additional information about Kentucky’s voting requirements and election procedures, visit the Kentucky State Board of Elections.

Haley is a reporter for LINK nky. Email her at hparnell@linknky.com Twitter.