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Free public service for Kentucky votersNo candidate endorsementsGuide sources checked October 1, 2026General election November 3, 2026

Official voter resources

Make your Kentucky voting plan

Use Kentucky's official election services to register, confirm absentee eligibility, request or return a mail-in ballot, plan excused in-person absentee or no-excuse early voting, review identification rules, and find Election Day information.

First steps

Start with these three actions

Step 1

Register or update your record

October 5 is the registration deadline. Online applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. local time. Mailed voter registration cards may be postmarked October 5, and cards delivered to the county clerk are accepted through the clerk's close of business.

Step 2

Check mail-in absentee eligibility and request a ballot

Kentucky requires an eligible excuse for mail-in absentee voting. The online request portal opens September 19 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time and closes October 20 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. A completed mail-in ballot must reach the county clerk by 6 p.m. local time on November 3.

Step 3

Plan in-person voting

Excused in-person absentee voting is October 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, and 28 for eligible voters. No-excuse early voting is October 29, 30, and 31. Election Day polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time, and a voter in line by 6 p.m. may vote.

October 5registration deadline
October 20 at 11:59 p.m. ETmail-in absentee request deadline
October 29-31no-excuse early voting
6 a.m. to 6 p.m.Election Day poll hours
Dated checklist

Election timeline

  1. Mail-in absentee request portal opens

    The online portal opens for eligible voters to request a mail-in absentee ballot.

  2. Voter registration deadline

    Online applications are due by 4 p.m. local time. Mailed voter registration cards may be postmarked October 5, and hand-delivered cards are accepted through the county clerk's close of business.

  3. Mail-in absentee request deadline

    The online portal closes for mail-in absentee ballot requests. Mail-in absentee voting requires an eligible excuse under Kentucky law.

  4. Excused in-person absentee voting begins

    Eligible voters may use excused in-person absentee voting on October 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, and 28. Confirm locations and hours with the county clerk.

  5. No-excuse early voting begins

    No-excuse early in-person absentee voting is available on October 29, 30, and 31. Confirm locations and hours with the county clerk.

  6. No-excuse early voting ends

    This is the last of Kentucky's three no-excuse early voting days.

  7. General Election Day and mail-in ballot receipt deadline

    Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. A voter in line by 6 p.m. may vote. The county clerk must receive a completed mail-in absentee ballot by 6 p.m. local time.

Check the current rule: Kentucky defines proof of identification as a document issued by the United States or Kentucky that contains the voter's name and photograph, or an eligible military, United States educational institution, or Kentucky local government document with the voter's name and photograph. Review the official voter identification page or contact the county clerk if you do not have one of the listed documents. Mail-in absentee and excused in-person absentee voting require a qualifying excuse; no-excuse early voting is October 29 through October 31.
On the ballot

1 statewide constitutional amendment

Kentucky's official 2026 amendment page and candidate filing directory identify one statewide constitutional amendment for the November 3 ballot. Read the official language before voting.

  • Constitutional Amendment 1: pardon and commutation timingWould amend Section 77 of the Kentucky Constitution to bar the Governor from granting pardons or commuting sentences from 60 days before a gubernatorial election through the fifth Tuesday after that election.
View official ballot-measure information
Judicial retention

No judicial contest decided by all Kentucky voters

The official candidate filing directory lists a Supreme Court candidate and other appellate and trial court candidates, but those offices are tied to judicial districts, circuits, divisions, or counties. None is counted as a statewide contest in this guide.

Check the official candidate filing directory
Official instructions

Use GoVoteKY and your county ballot for address-specific details

Kentucky's official election services provide registration, absentee request, polling-place, and voter information. Use your county sample ballot to confirm every district and local contest that applies to your address.

Open GoVoteKY
Official starting points

Official voter links

2026 voting dates and methodsOfficial registration deadline, absentee portal dates, excused in-person dates, no-excuse early voting dates, Election Day hours, and ballot receipt deadline.Mail-in absentee votingOfficial eligibility categories, request information, and return guidance.Voter identification requirementsOfficial list of accepted identification sources and voter guidance.Election Day informationOfficial Election Day hours and voting information.GoVoteKYOfficial voter registration, absentee request, polling-place, and voter record portal.Constitutional amendmentsOfficial 2026 amendment language and election information.Senate Bill 10Official legislative record for the enacted proposal placed before voters as Constitutional Amendment 1.

Dates checked October 1, 2026. Confirm them at the linked official source.