KENTUCKY — Are you ready for Kentucky’s election season? If not, don’t worry. Spectrum News 1 has you covered.

Check out our tips below for some helpful information to guide you through the 2024 Election.

What You Need To Know

  • The 20234 General Election is coming up on Tuesday, May 21

  • There are currently four ways to vote in Kentucky

  • It’s a good idea to verify your voter registration before trying to vote

  • It's easy to check online if you're eligible to vote absentee through mail or in person

There are currently four ways to cast your ballot in the Primary election:

  1. In-person, excused absentee early voting before Primary Election Day on May 8, 9, 10, and May 13, 14, 15, 2024
  2. In person, no-excuse absentee early voting before Primary Election Day on Thursday, May 16, Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18, 2024
  3. By absentee ballot, which is returned by mail or in a ballot dropbox
  4. In person on Election Day, May 21

Details about all three methods of voting are below.

Registering to vote

Whether you’re a first-time voter or a returning voter, it’s a good idea to take a look at your voter registration before heading to your polling place.

First-time voters can register to vote with Kentucky’s online voter registration service.

People who will turn 18 on or before Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 can register to vote now. Even if you’re currently 17 years old, you can vote in Kentucky’s May Primary Election if your birthday is on or before Nov. 5.

Current voters can check their existing voter registration with Kentucky’s online voter registration service to make sure that their name, address, phone number, email address and social security number are correct before voting. Remind your friends and family to check their voting registration as well.

If your information needs to be updated, the Kentucky Voter Information Portal will allow you to do so.

Once you have registered to vote, you do not have to re-register for each election. Re-registration is only necessary if you have moved or legally changed your name.

The deadline to register to vote in the primary election is April 22,2024.

Voting as a college student, military member or former felon

For college students who are either Kentucky residents or attending college in Kentucky but are from another state, find out more details about registering for an absentee ballot or registering to vote in Kentucky on Kentucky’s State Board of Elections website.

For members of the military who want to vote but are overseas or out of state, you can find an absentee ballot request here.

Voting with a felony conviction? If you are a United States citizen, answer the key questions about your conviction(s) here and determine if you are eligible to vote right now or if you’re eligible to go through the process to restore your right to vote.

How to vote early

Unable to vote on May 21? Anyone can vote early and in person before Election Day. 

There are a select number of dates where you can vote early across the state. For the Primary Day Election, there are separate early voting periods.

Excused in-person absentee voting is being held on May 8, 9, 10, and May 13, 14, 15, 2024. Early absentee voting with no excuse needed will be held statewide May 16, 17 and 18.

How to cast an absentee ballot

If you intend to vote in person, do not request a mail-in absentee ballot. 

The Absentee Portal will open for the 2024 election on May 8, 2024.

Curious if you’re eligible to vote by absentee ballot? Check out this graphic that includes qualifications for both in-person and mail absentee voting.

 

Once you have requested an absentee ballot, check the status of it on Kentucky’s State Board of Elections Voter Information Center website.

You can return your absentee ballot by mail or by putting it in a ballot dropbox, usually located at your county clerk’s office.

How to find your polling place

Want to vote in person on May 21 but you’re not on the location of your polling place?

Check your voter record on Kentucky’s State Board of Elections Voter Information Center website to find more details about where to vote.

How to find your representatives

Once you check your registration status, you will be given the information for your House, Senate and Congressional districts. You can then go to the Legislative Research Commission and find each of your representatives.

How to find a sample ballot

For those who want to view a sample ballot, they can be found on the Kentucky Voter Information Portal’s website. Some counties do not have sample ballots available online, and more will be updated closer to Election Day.

How to find the candidates running for office

For state and judicial candidates, their filings can be found on the Kentucky secretary of state’s website.

How to become a poll worker

Interested in working at the polls? Find out more information on Kentucky’s State Board of Elections website, including an online poll worker application, qualifications and typical duties.

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