Election Day is Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

2023 is a big election year in Kentucky. All statewide officials will be on your ballot (including candidates for governor, secretary of state, attorney general, commissioner of agriculture, auditor of public accounts, and treasurer), along with a variety of local races.

There are more ways than ever to vote.

  • Vote by mail
  • Vote early in person
  • Vote in person on Election Day

Choose how you're going to vote, plan a time to vote, and know what you need. Find your polling location!

Scroll down and expand the menus at the bottom of this page to learn more and get ready to vote.


REGISTER TO VOTE

Register to vote or review/update your registration information by Wednesday, April 19, 2023.

You must register to vote or update your information (i.e. name or address change) by Wednesday, April 19, so you can vote in the May primary election. Register to vote online here or by contacting your county clerk. Review your registration information here and update your registration here.

VOTE IN PERSON

You can vote early in person or on Election Day, Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Polls are open from 6AM to 6PM local time. Anyone in line by 6PM can vote.

Vote early in person:

• May 3 – May 10, excuse required
• May 11 – May 13, no excuse required

Vote on Election Day:

Tuesday, May 16, 2023, 6AM – 6PM local time.

Find your polling location here. Open the menus below to read about voter ID requirements, know your rights, and more.

View a sample ballot and see where to vote in person

VOTE BY MAIL / ABSENTEE BALLOT

You must request a mail in absentee ballot by Tuesday, May 2, 2023. 

Mail-in absentee ballots must be received by elections officials by 6PM on Election Day.

Find a Ballot Dropbox Location
You should return your ballot to a ballot drop box to guarantee it is received on time. You cannot take a mail-in ballot to a polling place.

Find a ballot drop box here. (See photo at right.) Click on the drop down menu and select your county. Look at the list of locations and find where you can return a mail-in ballot.

Track your mail-in ballot here.


RECLAIM YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE

Roughly 175,000 Kentuckians with a past felony conviction are eligible to vote! Reclaim your right to vote and make your voice heard. Learn more here.


Questions or problems with registering, requesting a ballot, or voting?

Click-to-call the Election Protection Hotline 

(or dial 866-687-8683)

Prepare to Vote

Vote In Person on Election Day

Election Day, Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Voting on Election Day will be open from 6AM–6PM local time. Anyone in line by 6PM can vote. Appointments are not required to vote on Election Day and you cannot be turned away if you do not make an appointment. Open the ID requirements tab so you know what to take with you.

find out where to vote

Do you have questions or have you encountered a problem? Call 866-OUR-VOTE (or dial 866-687-8683)

Vote By Mail

HOW TO VOTE BY MAIL

Some Kentucky voters can vote by mail if you qualify for a mail-in absentee ballot. Request an absentee ballot online between by May 2, 2023, or by contacting your county clerk. If you are voting by mail, be sure to carefully follow all instructions and sign the inner and outside envelopes.

RETURN YOUR MAIL-IN ABSENTEE BALLOT

Ballots must be received election officials by 6PM local time, Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Return your ballot by mail or take it to a ballot drop box. You cannot take a mail-in ballot to a polling place. 

Find a ballot drop box here

Track your mail-in ballot here.

SIGNATURE MATCHING

Voters will be required to sign their mail-in ballots. County clerks will match signatures to past signatures that they have on file (driver's license, voter registration form, etc.). If there is an issue with your signature, county clerks must make a reasonable effort to contact you to correct the issue. Be sure to answer calls from unknown numbers and check your mail in case they try to reach you.

DID YOU REQUEST A MAIL-IN BALLOT THAT NEVER ARRIVED?

You can still vote in person! Poll workers must let you vote in person and cast a regular ballot. You DO NOT have to submit a provisional ballot. If your absentee ballot arrives after you vote in person, you should destroy it. Make sure you take the proper identification to vote in person. Click on the "In-Person Voting" menu above to learn more. 

Do you have questions or have you encountered a problem? Call 866-OUR-VOTE (or dial 866-687-8683)

ID Requirements

ID REQUIREMENTS:

Voting in person will require one of several forms of identification unless you are known by a worker at your polling place.

Acceptable forms of ID include:
  • Any ID with your name and photo issued by the state or federal government, military, or college/university 
  • Any ID issued by your county with your name and photo
  • No ID is required if you are known by the precinct worker
Don't have a photo ID?

You can still vote! If you do not have a photo ID, you will be required to sign a form confirming your identity and will need to present one of these forms of ID:

  • Social Security card
  • any ID card with your name and photo
  • any food stamp ID card, electronic benefit transfer card, or SNAP card issued by Kentucky and showing your name
  • a credit or debit card with your name
  • any ID issued by a Kentucky county and approved by Kentucky's State Board of Elections

You can still vote if you don't have any of these forms of ID! You will be required to vote using a provisional ballot.

Do you have questions or have you encountered a problem? Call 866-OUR-VOTE (or dial 866-687-8683)

Know Your Rights/FAQ

VOTING IS A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT

View a list of Kentucky voters' rights on the Secretary of State's website here


IS ANYONE OFFERING RIDES TO IN-PERSON VOTING LOCATIONS?

Call your local county clerk to see if there are any transportation options in your community. Find their contact information here.

CAN I TAKE TIME OFF OF WORK TO VOTE?

You are entitled to up to 4 consecutive hours of time off from work. You must request the time off at least one day in advance. Your employer may specify the hours you can take. Your employer is not allowed to penalize you for taking time to vote, but is not required to pay you for the time you take. Voting by mail or early in-person may help you avoid scheduling issues.

WHAT IF I SEE A PROBLEM AT A POLLING LOCATION?

If you believe you were denied the right to vote or witness any irregularities (i.e. eligible voters being turned away, inadequate number of voting machines, people campaigning for candidates at a polling place), please contact the following:

WHAT FORMS OF IDENTIFICATION ARE REQUIRED TO VOTE IN PERSON?

Voting in person will require one a several forms of identification unless you are known by a worker at your polling place. 

Acceptable forms of ID include:
  • Any ID with your name and photo issued by the state or federal government, military, or college/university 
  • Any ID issued by your county with your name and photo
  • No ID is required if you are known by the precinct worker
Don't have a photo ID? You can still vote! If you do not have a photo ID, you will be required to sign a form confirming your identity and will need to present one of these forms of ID:
  • Social Security card
  • any ID card with your name and photo
  • any food stamp ID card, electronic benefit transfer card, or SNAP card issued by Kentucky and showing your name
  • a credit or debit card with your name
  • any ID issued by a Kentucky county and approved by Kentucky's State Board of Elections

You can still vote if you don't have any of these forms of ID! You will be required to vote using a provisional ballot.

Do you have questions or have you encountered a problem? Call 866-OUR-VOTE (or dial 866-687-8683)

Early In-Person Voting

Kentucky now has early in-person voting!

  • May 3 – May 10: You must have an excuse to vote early during this period. Click here to see if you have a reason that qualifies for voting in this time period.
  • May 11 – May 13: You do not need an excuse to vote early during this period and anyone can vote early during this time.

Did you miss your window to vote early? All people can vote in person on Election Day, Tuesday, May 16, 2023.