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).Â
Dec. 31, 2025: Last day for residents to change political parties if they want to vote in that political party’s primary election.Â
Jan. 9, 2026: Candidate filing deadline: Deadline for candidates to file with the county to run for office in 2026.Â
Jan. 15, 2026: Public drawing for ballot positions. Drawings take place in the county clerk offices and the secretary of state offices.Â
April 4, 2026: Mail in absentee request form opens. Portal closes May 5.Â
April 20, 2026: Last day to register to vote in the primary electionÂ
May 5, 2025: Mail-in absentee request portal closes at 11:59 p.m.Â
May 6, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting begins.Â
May 7, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee votingÂ
May 8, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee votingÂ
May 11, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee votingÂ
May 12, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting; last day to apply for a military-overseas ballot. Â
May 13, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee votingÂ
May 14, 2026: In-person, no excuse absentee voting beginsÂ
May 15, 2026: In-person, no excuse absentee votingÂ
May 16, 2026: In-person, no excuse absentee votingÂ
May 19, 2026: Primary Election Day. Polls open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.Â
May 26, 2026: Deadline for county to submit certified results of the election to the Secretary of State; also the deadline to request a recanvassÂ
June 2, 2026: Filing deadline for November electionÂ
June 4, 2026: Public drawing for ballot positions at county clerks and secretary of state officesÂ
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.Â
Aug. 24, 2026: Last day to file a declaration of intent to be a write-in candidateÂ
Sept. 14, 2026: Deadline for printing regular and absentee ballotsÂ
Sept. 19, 2026: Online mail-in absentee request portal opens (closes Oct. 20)Â
Oct. 20, 2026: Online mail-in absentee request portal closesÂ
Oct. 21, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee voting startsÂ
Oct. 22, 2026: Excused, in person absentee votingÂ
Oct. 23, 2026: Excused, in person absentee votingÂ
Oct. 26, 2026: Excused, in-person absentee votingÂ
Oct. 27, 2026: Excused, in person absentee voting; last day to apply for a military overseas ballot Â
Oct. 28, 2026: Excused, in person absentee votingÂ
Oct. 29, 2026: In-person, no-excuse voting beginsÂ
Oct. 30, 2026: In-person, no-excuse votingÂ
Oct. 31, 2026: In-person, no excuse votingÂ
Nov. 3, 2026: General Election DayÂ
Nov. 10, 2026: Deadline for counties to provide certified election results; deadline to request recanvassÂ