Kentucky voter registration guide: How to register to vote and what to know

Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, Louisville Courier Journal
Updated ·3 min read

Kentucky voters return to the polls in 2024 to help select the next President, along with members of the House of Representatives.

The Bluegrass State's general primary is scheduled for May 21 and the general election is set for Nov. 5.

Voters can review their registration through the Kentucky State Board of Elections by entering their first and last name, date of birth and the last four numbers of their Social Security number.

But before you check your registration, you need to register to vote, and here are the steps to do so.

How to register to vote in Kentucky

There are several requirements people must meet in order to register to vote in Kentucky elections, here are the qualifications listed by the State Board of Elections:

  • Be a U.S. citizen and a Kentucky resident for a minimum of 28 days before Election Day.

  • Be 18-years-old by Election Day. 17-year-olds can register if they will be of legal voting age by Election Day.

  • To not be a convicted felon, although their right to vote can be rectified with an expungement, Executive Pardon, or Executive Order.

  • "Not have been judged mentally incompetent in a court of law and have voting rights removed."

  • The person cannot claim the right to vote outside of the state.

People can register to vote through Kentucky's Voter Information Portal, by completing and mailing a Voter Registration Application to the County Clerk's Office or by going in person to a County Clerk's Office to submit an application.

The deadline to register for the Nov. 7 elections has passed, but people that want to vote in the 2024 primaries and General Elections still have time to do so.

  • May 21 Primaries: Deadline to register is April 22.

  • Nov. 5, 2024 General Election: Deadline to register is Oct. 7.

How to vote in Kentucky

Kentucky offers various ways for voters to cast their ballots. Here's a general breakdown.

Vote early in-person

For all voters, early in-person voting is the Thursday, Friday and Saturday before Election Day. For voters with excused absences, early voting starts six days beforehand, according to Rock the Vote.

There are several ways to qualify for excused early in-person voting, including:

  • Being a Kentucky resident who will not be home

  • Being on military duty

  • If the person or their partner will have surgery on Election Day

Early voting registration cannot be done on the same day the person is voting. Any voter who wishes to participate must register before the general registration deadline.

Request a mail-in/absentee ballot

People can request a mail-in or absentee ballot through the State Board of Elections. The deadline is 14 days before the election, according to Rock the Vote.

Return your completed ballot

Ballots can be returned in person or at a drop box at your designated polling location. For people mailing the absentee ballot or dropping off ballots, they must be received by 6 p.m. on Election Day.

Voting in-person on Election Day

People can lookup their polling location through the State Board of Elections website. Kentucky does not participate in same-day voting, so be sure to register before the deadline to ensure you can cast a ballot.

People need to present a valid photo identification when going to vote. The State Board of Elections has a video listing all valid forms of ID, with the primary one being a driver's license.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky voter registration guide: How to check registration status