As Election Day approaches in the Bluegrass State, LINK nky is answering some of the most frequently asked questions about voting to help Northern Kentuckians navigate the process.
When is the General Election?
The 2026 General Election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
What are the qualifications to register to vote?
To register to vote in Kentucky, a person must be a U.S. citizen and have lived in Kentucky for at least 28 days before the election. They must also be at least 18 years old by the next General Election. However, qualified 17-year-olds may register and vote in a Primary Election if they will turn 18 by the General Election.
A person convicted of a felony must have their voting rights restored through an expungement, executive pardon or executive order before registering. Moreover, a person is also ineligible if a court has judged them either mentally incompetent and removed their voting rights, or if they claim the right to vote outside Kentucky.
Where do you register to vote?
Kentucky residents can register to vote online at govote.ky.gov. Residents can use a current Kentucky Driver’s License to help them complete the online application.
To register by mail, residents must print and submit their completed Voter Registration Application to their local county clerk’s office.
To register in person, residents can visit their local county clerk’s office to submit their application.
What is the voter registration deadline for the upcoming November election?
The last day to register for the general election is October 5, according to the Kentucky Secretary of State’s website.
Where do you find sample ballots?
Voters can find sample ballots through the Kentucky Voter Information Center, which is maintained by the State Board of Elections. Because ballots vary by county and voting precinct, voters can also check their county clerk’s website for sample ballots specific to their area.
When and where can you vote early?
Voters are allowed three days of no-excuse, in-person early voting before Election Day. For the 2026 General Election, early voting will take place Thursday, Oct. 29, Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31.
Early voting locations and hours vary by county. As such, voters can check with their local county clerk’s office or visit the Kentucky State Board of Elections for further information about voting locations in their county.
How do you find your polling place?
Voters can find their assigned precinct and polling location by entering their information into the Kentucky Voter Information Center. They can also view county-by-county lists of voting locations through the Kentucky State Board of Elections Polling Locations page.
Voters can also contact their county clerk’s office directly to confirm their assigned polling location and available voting options.
What identification do you need to bring to vote?
To vote in person, Kentucky voters must present a valid form of identification that includes their name and photograph.
Acceptable forms include a driver’s license or other identification issued by the United States, Kentucky or a local government; a student ID issued by a college or university in the United States; or military identification issued by the Kentucky National Guard, U.S. military or U.S. Merchant Marine.
