Kentucky voter registration closes Oct 5 for the November 3, 2026 election. Every deadline — registration, mail ballot and early voting — with the official source for each.
Look up your own ballot and polling place →
Online registrations must be received by 4:00 PM local time on Monday, October 5, 2026. Mailed registration cards postmarked by Monday, October 5, 2026 will be counted. Registration forms turned in at the county clerk's office are accepted until close of business Monday, October 5, 2026.
Request a mail-in absentee ballot on the state online portal by 11:59 PM Eastern on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 (portal opens September 19). Only voters with a qualifying reason are eligible.
Excused in-person absentee voting at the county clerk's office runs Wednesday, Oct 21 through Wednesday, Oct 28. You must have one of Kentucky's statutory reasons to vote during these days. No-excuse early voting is separate and runs Thursday Oct 29 through Saturday Oct 31. No-excuse early voting is only 3 days (Oct 29-31); locations and hours are set by each county. Before that, excused in-person absentee voting (a designated reason required) is held during business hours on Oct 21, 22, 23, 26, 27 and 28.
No-excuse early in-person voting runs Thursday October 29, Friday October 30, and Saturday October 31, 2026. No-excuse early in-person voting ends Saturday, October 31, 2026. There is no early voting on Monday, November 2. No-excuse early voting is only 3 days (Oct 29-31); locations and hours are set by each county. Before that, excused in-person absentee voting (a designated reason required) is held during business hours on Oct 21, 22, 23, 26, 27 and 28.
No-excuse early in-person voting ends Saturday, October 31, 2026. There is no early voting on Monday, November 2. No-excuse early voting is only 3 days (Oct 29-31); locations and hours are set by each county. Before that, excused in-person absentee voting (a designated reason required) is held during business hours on Oct 21, 22, 23, 26, 27 and 28.
Mail-in absentee ballots must be received by the county clerk by 6:00 PM local time on Election Day; postmarks do not count.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026 is the first day to file nomination papers for the May 18, 2027 primary. Friday, January 8, 2027 at 4:00 p.m. local time is the deadline to file nomination papers for the May 18, 2027 primary.
Friday, January 8, 2027 at 4:00 p.m. local time is the deadline to file nomination papers for the May 18, 2027 primary.
Monday, April 19, 2027 is the last day to register to vote in the May 18, 2027 primary. Registration is closed from the following day until after the election.
Kentucky sets local election dates by statute, and city officers appear on the regular November ballot in even-numbered years - so there is no separate municipal election in 2027. The next state-scheduled election after November 2026 is the primary on Tuesday, May 18, 2027, ahead of the November 2, 2027 election for governor and other state officers.
We publish a gap rather than a guess. These points were not settled by an official source:
Every date above was read from the Kentucky election office's own published material, last checked Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Confirm anything you are relying on with your local election authority.
https://elect.ky.gov/Resources/Documents/2026%20Election%20Calendar.pdf
Monday 10/5 Last day to register to vote for the general election. Online Registrations must be received by 4:00PM Local Time;
https://elect.ky.gov/Voters/Pages/Voting-In-Person-and-By-Mail.aspx
October 20, 2026, 11:59PM (Eastern Time)
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=52547
The county clerk shall cause all registration to be closed the fourth Tuesday preceding through the first Monday following any primary or general election, and the twenty-eight (28) days prior to and seven (7) days following any special election.
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=57002
Candidates for offices to be voted for by the electors of more than one (1) county, including candidates for members of Congress, members of the General Assembly, and Commonwealth's attorneys, shall file their nomination papers with the Secretary of State not earlier than the first Wednesday after the first Monday in N
https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=51687
A primary for the nomination of candidates to be voted for at the next regular election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the third Monday in May of each year.