At a Glance: Kentucky

Kentucky Voting Rules

Voter Registration Form:
Forms can be found here.
Voter Registration cards can be requested in bulk from the State Board of Elections at 502-573-7100.

Deadline to Register:
28 days prior to the election (Oct 7, 2008).

Voter Eligibility:
In order to vote in Kentucky, individuals must: be a US citizen; be a resident of Kentucky at least 28 days prior to Election Day; be at least 18 years of age on Election Day; not be convicted as a felon; not have been judged mentally incompetent in a court of law; not claim the right to vote anywhere outside of Kentucky.

Identification Requirements:
Individuals must provide their social security number on their voter registration card. Additional ID may be requested at the polls on Election Day.

Where to Turn in Your Registration:
Voter registration forms should be mailed to the voter’s local County Clerk’s Office. A list of County Clerk’s Offices can be found here.

How to Register Others:
There are no state-specific regulations to register voters.

Absentee Voting:
Absentee voting is available. Excuses are required.
Excuses: In order to vote absentee by mail a voter must meet any of the following:
• Advanced age, Disability, or Illness
• Military personnel, their Dependent, and Overseas Citizens
• Student who temporarily resides outside the county
• Other voter who temporarily resides outside of Kentucky, such as a vacationer
• Incarcerated but not yet convicted
• Your employment takes you out of the county all hours the polling place is open
Application Process: Applications for absentee ballots are not located online. Applications may be requested through local County Clerk’s Offices in person, by phone, by mail, or by fax. Absentee ballots should be mailed to the voter’s local County Clerks Office. A list of County Clerk’s Offices can be found here.
Dates: Applications are due to the County Clerk’s Office s no later than 7 days prior to the election (Oct 28, 2008). Absentee ballots must be received by the clerk no later than 6:00 pm on Election Day.

Early Vote:
Early voting is available. Excuses are required.
Excuses: In order to early vote, a registered voter must meet any of the following:
• be out of the county on election day
• Military personnel, their Dependents, and Overseas Citizens
• Military personnel confined to base who learn of it within seven days or less of an election
• Student or resident who temporarily reside outside of the county
• Voter who has surgery scheduled that will require hospitalization on Election Day, and the voter's spouse
• a pregnant woman in your third trimester
• Election Officials
Dates: Registered voters may early vote up to 12 days prior to the election up until Election Day at their local County Clerks Office. Check with local Country Clerks Offices for exact dates. A list of County Clerks can be found here.

For More Information
State Board of Elections
140 Walnut Street
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
Phone: 502-573-7100
Fax: 502-573-4369
Visit their website

Info about veterans, voting in other states, etc.

Please see this website for more information on U.S. Military Voter Services and voting overseas.

Click here to return to our Voter Registration Action Center home page.

Read our voter registration event guide here.

Visit Kentucky's state home page.