On this page
2026 Elections
How to Vote in Kentucky: 2028 Deadlines, Early Voting & Poll Hours
Everything you need to vote in Kentucky for the November 7, 2028 general election — when to register, when early voting opens, how to vote by mail, and when polls close.
Rules as of September 17, 2026 · verify at Kentucky's official election site
Election Day
November 7, 2028
Quick Answer
- Register By
- 29 days before Election Day
- Early Voting
- Opens ≈ Oct 29, 2026
- Mail Ballot Request By
- 14 days before Election Day
- Polls Close
- 6 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT (last close 7:00 p.m. ET)
- Election Day
- November 7, 2028
Build your Kentucky voting plan
Choose how you plan to vote and we'll narrow the checklist below to the steps and dates that apply to you.
- 1
See rule
- 2
See rule
- 3
Early voting opens
Thursday before Election Day Three days of no-excuse early voting.
Official source →See rule
- 4
See rule
- 5
Election Day
Polls close 6 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT (last polls close 7:00 p.m. ET). Kentucky and Indiana are the first states to report, with polls shut by 7 p.m. ET.
Official source →Nov 7, 2028
What's on Your Kentucky Ballot
Every U.S. House seat is up for election every two years. Whether a U.S. Senate seat is also on the ballot depends on the state.
U.S. House of Representatives
All of Kentucky's U.S. House seats are on the 2028 ballot. View Kentucky's current delegation →
U.S. Senate
On the ballotThe November matchup: Andy Barr (R) vs Charles Booker (D).
Kentucky Supreme Court
On the ballot1 seat is on the 2028 ballot. Local judges may be on your ballot too. See the candidates and how Kentucky chooses judges →
To see every race you will vote on — including judges and local measures — check your sample ballot from your county or local election office, starting at Kentucky's official election site.
Find your Kentucky representative and senators
Enter your address to see exactly who represents you before you vote.
Voter Registration in Kentucky
To vote in the November 7, 2028 general election, register by 29 days before Election Day.
Dates marked ≈ are computed from state statute and can shift with county practice. Confirm your exact deadline and check your registration status at Kentucky's official site.
Early Voting in Kentucky
Early voting opens ≈ October 29, 2026 — Thursday before Election Day. It runs through Saturday before Election Day.
Three days of no-excuse early voting.
Confirm exact locations and hours — which vary by county — at Kentucky's official election site.
Voting by Mail in Kentucky
Kentucky requires a qualifying excuse to vote by mail. Request deadline: 14 days before Election Day.
Return rule: Must be received before close of polls on Election Day
Track your ballot: look up your record at Kentucky's voter portal to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Details and request forms are at Kentucky's official election site.
Voter ID Requirements in Kentucky
A photo ID is requested, but a voter without one can still cast a ballot that counts without a later trip back — for example by signing an affidavit or having a provisional ballot verified some other way.
See the full list of accepted ID at Kentucky's official election site.
Poll Hours in Kentucky
Polls are open until 6 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT on November 7, 2028 — because Kentucky spans more than one time zone, the last polls in the state close at 7:00 p.m. ET. Kentucky and Indiana are the first states to report, with polls shut by 7 p.m. ET.
See how Kentucky's closing time compares nationwide on the full poll closing times by state page, or confirm your local hours at Kentucky's official election site.
When Kentucky Certifies Its Results
Election-night totals are unofficial. The count becomes official in two steps:
- Local: County boards of elections — by about November 10, 2026. By the Tuesday after the election.
- Statewide: State Board of Elections — November 23, 2026 on the 2026 calendar. No later than the third Monday after the election.
Certifying is a required step, not a second vote on the result. What happens if a local board won’t sign off, every state’s deadlines and how a result can be challenged are on how election results are certified.
Live on Congress Countdown
Live countdown to Election Day — and every date in between
Registration deadlines, early voting, and the full 2026 election calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the deadline to register to vote in Kentucky?
29 days before Election Day Confirm the exact date at https://elect.ky.gov/Resources/Pages/Registration.aspx.
Can I vote early in person in Kentucky?
Yes. Early voting opens around October 29, 2026 (Thursday before Election Day) and runs through Saturday before Election Day.
Do I need ID to vote in Kentucky?
A photo ID is requested, but a voter without one can still cast a ballot that counts without a later trip back — for example by signing an affidavit or having a provisional ballot verified some other way.
When do polls close in Kentucky?
Polls close 6 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. CT (the last polls in the state close 7:00 p.m. ET) on November 7, 2028.
How do I vote by mail in Kentucky?
Request a ballot (an excuse is required) — 14 days before Election Day. Must be received before close of polls on Election Day
Is it too late to register to vote in Kentucky?
29 days before Election Day Confirm at https://elect.ky.gov/Resources/Pages/Registration.aspx.
How do I track my mail ballot in Kentucky?
Look up your voter record at Kentucky's voter portal (https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/vic/) to see when your ballot was mailed, received and accepted.
Where can I see a sample ballot for Kentucky?
Your county or local election office publishes sample ballots before each election. They list every race you will vote on, including judges and local measures. Start at Kentucky's official election site (https://elect.ky.gov/Resources/Pages/Registration.aspx).