Want to review your sample ballot? Here’s how Kentucky voters can find them

Jackie Starkey
·3 min read
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After a packed Republican primary and high-profile General Election contest, many Kentuckians will be drawn to vote Tuesday, Nov. 7 to decide the governor’s race, but there’s a lot more on ballot this fall.

Polls open at 6 a.m. Election Day, though thousands of Kentucky voters have already cast a ballot by mail or during one of the state’s two early voting periods.

In addition to the gubernatorial showdown between incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and Republican challenger Attorney General Daniel Cameron, a slew of statewide and local races will be decided Tuesday. That includes races for state attorney general, treasurer, auditor and commissioner of agriculture.

Kentucky’s gubernatorial candidates have declared running mates, so voters will select their choice for governor and lieutenant governor with a single vote.

In Fayette County, Lexington voters will also decide the office of county clerk and an unopposed race for commonwealth attorney in the 22nd Judicial Circuit. Some county voters will also see a race for the Fayette County Board of Education and a special election for state representative in the 93rd District.

If you need to check your voter registration or polling location, you can find relevant voter information online at govote.ky.gov.

Where can I find sample ballots for Kentucky’s 2023 General Election?

Each election, the secretary of state’s office offers a list of sample ballots by county online at web.sos.ky.gov/electionballots/. The counties are listed alphabetically, and you can simply select yours and review the PDF.

Some counties also offer sample ballot tools, including those specific to races you may be eligible for, on their websites. Visit kentuckycountyclerks.com/ to find your county clerk’s website to seek out sample ballot lookup tools.

Fayette County has a tool that allows registered voters to enter their Social Security number and date of birth to access their voter registration information and sample ballot.

You may also find sample ballots or request one on Election Day when you visit your polling place.

Kentucky is one of just six states in the U.S. that still offers straight-ticket voting.

How can I find reputable information about the candidates?

The Herald-Leader is providing comprehensive coverage of statewide races in Kentucky, along with those in Fayette County, online at kentucky.com.

Some of the latest coverage from our Bluegrass Politics team includes:

You can find a complete round up of our 2023 General Election coverage through our 2023 Kentucky Voter Guide.

If you’re looking for another source of nonpartisan information about candidates for public office, the League of Women Voters’ Vote 411 project offers free information, sample ballots and light candidate profiles submitted by the candidates or their campaigns.

You can access information relevant to your ballot by using the address lookup tool at vote411.org/.

“There are important state races on the ballot this fall. It is crucial that voters in Kentucky make their voices heard this election year,” Jennifer Jackson, M.D. and LWV of Kentucky president, stated in a Tuesday release from the organization.

The LWVKY also offers a landing page where voters can watch past gubernatorial debates.

Do you have a question about the 2023 election for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.