Kentucky residents wanting to vote in this year’s general election have an important date coming up: Oct. 10.
That’s the deadline to register if you want to cast a ballot in this year’s general election, which includes state races for governor (you may have noticed the ads) and five other constitutional offices. There are other races on the ballot as well, depending on where you live, including three special elections for Louisville Metro Council and a vote on alcohol sales that could shut down a Brownsboro Road bar.
Here’s what you need to know about registering to vote, checking your registration status and how to vote:
When is the voter registration deadline in Kentucky for the 2023 general election?
It’s Oct. 10, but more specifically it’s 4 p.m. local time that day. The Kentucky Secretary of State’s website says that if you are not registered by that time, you can’t vote on Election Day and you can’t get an absentee ballot. In short, you’re out of luck.
How do I register to vote in Kentucky?
You can register online by going to govoteKY.com or submitting a voter registration card by mail or in-person at your county clerk’s office. You can download and print out a card from the state Board of Elections, complete the card and mail it to your county clerk’s office or the State Board of Elections at 140 Walnut St., Frankfort, KY 40601.
For cards that are mailed in, the postmark must be no less than 29 days before the election, or Oct. 10.
How to check your voter registration status in Kentucky
If you want to check your registration status, you can do so at the website, govoteKY.com.
Who can register to vote in Kentucky?
Those eligible to vote in Kentucky must:
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Be a current resident of Kentucky.
- Be at least 18 years of age on or before Nov 7.
- Not be a convicted felon, or if they have been convicted of a felony, had their right to vote restored following an expungement, executive pardon or executive order.
- Have not been judged “incompetent” in a Kentucky court of law.
- Not claim the right to vote anywhere outside Kentucky.
When do I vote in Kentucky’s 2023 general election?
All eligible voters may cast their ballot in person at their polling place on Nov. 7 before polls close at 6 p.m., or vote early in person Thursday, Friday and Saturday before the election, Nov. 2-4. In-person, excused absentee voting is Oct. 25-27, Oct. 30-31 and Nov. 1. To find out when and where, go to the Board of Elections website at govote.ky.gov. Absentee votes must be received by your county clerk before 6 p.m., Nov. 7.
When and how can I request an absentee ballot in Kentucky?
Those unable to vote on Election Day or the early voting days due to health, work or temporary residence excuses, or because of age, disability or illness may request an absentee ballot. The portal to request an absentee ballot opens Sept. 23 at govoteky.com.
Absentee ballots can only be requested through the portal, said Erran Huber, communications director for the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office.
Such individuals may also cast an excused in-person absentee ballot at their local clerk’s office on these six days: Oct. 25-27, Oct. 30-31 and Nov. 1.
Who qualifies for a mail-in absentee ballot in Kentucky?
A voter may apply to cast a mail-in absentee ballot up to 14 days before an election if the person is:
- A Kentucky resident in the military or their dependents residing overseas.
- A student temporarily outside their home county.
- A voter who is in jail and charged with a crime, but not convicted.
- A voter who is changing or has changed his or her place of residence to a different state while the registration books are closed in the new state before an election of electors for president, in which case the voter shall be permitted to vote for electors for president only.
- An eligible voter who temporarily resides outside the state.
- Prevented from voting at the polls on Election Day and from casting an excused or no-excuse in-person absentee ballot because they will be absent from their home county during those voting periods.
- A participant in the Secretary of State’s crime victim address confidentiality protection program.
- A voter unable to appear at the polls on Election Day or when in-person absentee voting is conducted because of age, disability, or illness, and who has not been declared mentally disabled by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Who qualifies for an in-person excused absentee ballot?
- Military or overseas voters who are Kentucky residents and can’t make it to the polls on Election Day or all days of in-person no excuse absentee/early voting, for instance, if confined to a military base.
- A student who temporarily is residing outside the county of their residence.
- A person who temporarily resides outside the state but is still eligible to vote in this state and will be absent from their home county on Election Day and during no-excuse in-person absentee voting days.
- A voter or voter’s spouse who has surgery scheduled those days and will be hospitalized.
- A voter who is in their last trimester of pregnancy and completes a form prescribed by the state Board of Elections.
- A voter who cannot appear during Election Day or no excuse in-person absentee voting due to age, disability or illness and has not been declared mentally disabled by a court.
- Any person who is employed in a profession who is scheduled to work during all days and all hours in which polls are open.
- Election officers tasked with administration of the election.
Where will in-person, excused absentee ballot voting be in Jefferson County?
Voting will be at the Election Center, 1000 E. Liberty St. Voting will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Oct. 25-27, Oct. 30-31 and Nov. 1. A ballot drop box will be available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where will no-excuse early voting be held in Louisville?
No-excuse early voting for the 2023 general will take place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Nov. 2-4.
Voters can cast a ballot at any of the following voting centers during those times. Ballot drop boxes will also be available at these sites during the three days.
- The Arterburn — 310 Ten Pin Lane
- Bowman Field — 2815 Taylorsville Road
- The Jeffersonian — 10617 Taylorsville Road
- Kentucky Center for African American Heritage — 1701 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.
- Sun Valley Community Center — 6505 Bethany Lane
- Mary Queen of Peace Gym — 4005 Dixie Highway
- Triple Crown Pavilion — 1780 Plantside Drive
- Kentucky Exposition Center: East Hall A&B — 937 Phillips Lane
- Old Forester’s Paristown Hall — 724 Brent St.
- Lyndon Elks Lodge #2052 — 904 Ormsby Lane
Reporter Joe Sonka contributed to this story. Editor Nick Hollkamp can be reached at nhollkamp@courier-journal.com.
