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Kentucky elections in 2026

This page lists Kentucky statewide election dates, voter registration deadlines, absentee and early voting timelines, poll hours, and official election resources.

At a glance​

Register to vote in Kentucky​

Start with the official Kentucky voter registration page. The section below highlights registration methods and the deadlines tied to the next statewide election on this page.

Kentucky voters may register online, by mail, or in person. Registration deadlines may vary by election type or method where noted.

Upcoming registration deadlines​

  • October 5, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline In Person: A voter registration card can be obtained and completed at your county clerk's office. In person registration deadline is 29 days before Election Day.
  • October 5, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: Print out the form, fill out the voter registration card by hand, sign it, and mail to the State Board of Elections. The completed application must be postmarked 29 days before Election Day.
  • October 5, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline Online: You can use the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Online Voter Registration to: Register to vote in Kentucky or Update your current registration record.

Online​

You can use the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Online Voter Registration to: Register to vote in Kentucky or Update your current registration record.

Eligibility or requirements

  • Must meet state voter registration eligibility requirements.

Deadlines

By Mail​

Print out the form, fill out the voter registration card by hand, sign it, and mail to the State Board of Elections. The completed application must be postmarked 29 days before Election Day.

Deadlines

In Person​

A voter registration card can be obtained and completed at your county clerk's office. In person registration deadline is 29 days before Election Day.

Deadlines

Special registration options​

Military Overseas: Available

UOCAVA voters can register by completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA).

Additional registration notes​

Other Registration Option

The National Mail Voter Registration Form may also be available where accepted.

Registration Status

Consider yourself registered when- and only when- you receive an acknowledgment from your county clerk. Never assume you are registered to vote until you have received this acknowledgment. Contact your county clerk if you do not receive notification within 2-3 weeks or, if it is close to the registration deadline, to check the status of your registration. Check your voter registration status online by visiting this site

Absentee and early voting in Kentucky​

These absentee and early voting deadlines are tied to the next statewide election listed on this page. Local procedures can vary, so confirm final details with your local election office.

  • October 5, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: Print out the form, fill out the voter registration card by hand, sign it, and mail to the State Board of Elections. The completed application must be postmarked 29 days before Election Day.
  • October 21, 2026 — Excused, In-Person Absentee Voting Begins: Excused, In-Person Absentee Voting: qualified voters may make applications to cast an absentee ballot during normal business hours during the six (6) business days immediately preceding the Thursday of no-excuse in-person absentee voting period. MUST HAVE ONE OF THE DESIGNATED REASONS TO CAST A BALLOT DURING THIS PERIOD
  • October 27, 2026 — Deadline to apply for a military-overseas ballot: Last day to apply for a military-overseas ballot (not later than close of business 7 days before election). A covered voter may use the declaration accompanying a federal write-in absentee ballot as an application for a military-overseas ballot simultaneously with the submission of the federal write-in absentee ballot if the declaration is received by the appropriate election official by the close of business hours seven (7) days before the election
  • October 29, 2026 — In-person No-Excuse Absentee Voting begins: Early voting begins the Thursday before an Election day. In-person No-Excuse Absentee Voting to be conducted in the county clerk's office or other place designated by the county board of elections and approved by the State Board of Elections.
  • October 31, 2026 — In-person No-Excuse Absentee Voting ends: Early voting ends the Saturday before an Election Day. In-person No-Excuse Absentee Voting to be conducted in the county clerk's office or other place designated by the county board of elections and approved by the State Board of Elections.

Voter ID requirements in Kentucky​

Review the current voter ID rules before you vote: Kentucky voter ID requirements.

Kentucky election dates for 2026​

Primary Election — May 19, 2026​

A primary election is held on the first Tuesday after third Monday in May each year for the nomination of all candidates to be voted for at the next general election. KRS 118. 025(3). Mail-in absentee ballots must be received by clerk before 6 p. m. , prevailing time. Information contained in an application for an absentee ballot shall not be made public until after the close of business hours on Election Day for which the application applies. There is no prohibition to disclose at any time, upon request, the total number of applications for absentee ballots that have been filed.

Important dates​

  • April 20, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline In Person: A voter registration card can be obtained and completed at your county clerk's office. In person registration deadline is 29 days before Election Day.
  • April 20, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: Print out the form, fill out the voter registration card by hand, sign it, and mail to the State Board of Elections. The completed application must be postmarked 29 days before Election Day.
  • April 20, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline Online: You can use the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Online Voter Registration to: Register to vote in Kentucky or Update your current registration record.
  • May 14, 2026 — In-person No-Excuse Absentee Voting begins: Early voting begins the Thursday before an Election day. In-person No-Excuse Absentee Voting to be conducted in the county clerk's office or other place designated by the county board of elections and approved by the State Board of Elections.
  • May 16, 2026 — n-person No-Excuse Absentee Voting ends: Early voting ends the Saturday before an Election Day.

General Election — November 3, 2026​

November General election is held the Tuesday after the first Monday of November

Important dates​

  • August 11, 2026 — Candidate filing deadline: Last day for independent, political organization, or political group candidates to file a petition due to a vacancy occurring after the June filing deadline but less than 3 months before the election (
  • October 5, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline In Person: A voter registration card can be obtained and completed at your county clerk's office. In person registration deadline is 29 days before Election Day.
  • October 5, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: Print out the form, fill out the voter registration card by hand, sign it, and mail to the State Board of Elections. The completed application must be postmarked 29 days before Election Day.
  • October 5, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline Online: You can use the Commonwealth of Kentucky's Online Voter Registration to: Register to vote in Kentucky or Update your current registration record.
  • October 21, 2026 — Excused, In-Person Absentee Voting Begins: Excused, In-Person Absentee Voting: qualified voters may make applications to cast an absentee ballot during normal business hours during the six (6) business days immediately preceding the Thursday of no-excuse in-person absentee voting period. MUST HAVE ONE OF THE DESIGNATED REASONS TO CAST A BALLOT DURING THIS PERIOD
  • October 27, 2026 — Deadline to apply for a military-overseas ballot: Last day to apply for a military-overseas ballot (not later than close of business 7 days before election). A covered voter may use the declaration accompanying a federal write-in absentee ballot as an application for a military-overseas ballot simultaneously with the submission of the federal write-in absentee ballot if the declaration is received by the appropriate election official by the close of business hours seven (7) days before the election
  • October 29, 2026 — In-person No-Excuse Absentee Voting begins: Early voting begins the Thursday before an Election day. In-person No-Excuse Absentee Voting to be conducted in the county clerk's office or other place designated by the county board of elections and approved by the State Board of Elections.
  • October 31, 2026 — In-person No-Excuse Absentee Voting ends: Early voting ends the Saturday before an Election Day. In-person No-Excuse Absentee Voting to be conducted in the county clerk's office or other place designated by the county board of elections and approved by the State Board of Elections.

Official Kentucky election resources​

Use these official and state-specific resources to confirm dates, registration rules, absentee voting requirements, voter ID rules, and local procedures.

What may vary locally​

Election dates, voter registration deadlines, early voting, absentee voting, and voting hours apply to statewide elections in most cases. However, Check with your Town Clerk for the hours of voting, and voter registration deadlines as they vary by town. Please be advised that these dates are updated regularly but are subject to scheduling changes at the local level.