The Kentucky primary election is in mid-May but other deadlines for voters are coming fast.
Boone, Kenton, and Campbell County election offices have said there are no special elections in those Northern Kentucky counties, so ballots will only include state officers. For local Republicans, that includes secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, governor and commissioner of agriculture. Democrats only have the latter two on their primary ballot.
The Enquirer has pulled together a list of deadlines and early voting opportunities to keep in mind before the primary election on May 16. We listed dates, eligibility, and explanations we think most voters need to know. Your county board of elections has more information on people who need special accommodations, such as students, those with medical needs, incarcerated people, and Kentucky residents temporarily living out of state.
Have a question about the upcoming election? Contact Northern Kentucky Reporter Jolene Almendarez at [email protected] or via Twitter at @JoleneA1.
| April 1 | You can now request a mail-in absentee ballot through an online portal. This limited option is available for people who know they won't be in their home county on election day. But voters must meet certain criteria to be eligible. That includes, among others, the following:- Those with advanced age, disability, illness, or medical emergency.- Military members and their dependents. |
| April 17 | This is the last day to register to vote. Mailed registration has to be postmarked by this day. Online registration ends at 4 p.m. You can also drop off registration at your county clerk's office by the end of the business day. |
| May 2 | This is the last day you can request mail-in absentee ballots through an online portal. |
| May 2-16 | Those with a medical emergency, or their legally authorized agent, can submit a legally notarized paper application for an absentee ballot. |
| May 3-10 | Voters can apply for an excused in-person absentee ballot during their county clerk's business hours. Some of the voters who qualify for this option include:- Kentucky residents who are uniformed service members and confined to a military base on election day or during the days of no-excuse in-person absentee voting.- Voters in the last trimester of pregnancy. (Requires an additional form.)- Any voter whose work schedule will keep them from voting on election day and during no-excuse in-person absentee voting. (This includes commute time.)- Voters who cannot be at the polls on election day or during no-excuse in-person voting because of age, disability, or illness. |
| May 9 | Last day to apply for a military overseas ballot. |
| May 9 | This is the last day to cancel your absentee ballot if you received one by mail but know at least a week before the election that you will be in your county on election, after all. |
| May 11-13 | In person, no-excuse absentee voting dates. Think of this as early voting the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before the primary election. Anyone can vote early on these days. You can vote at the county clerk's office or another place designated by your county board of elections. Check your county's board of elections for more information. |
| May 16 | This is the election day for primaries. Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. Mail-in absentee ballots must be received by your county clerk's office by 6 p.m. |
