Mail-In Absentee Voting

Except for voters requesting a medical emergency absentee ballot or military voters and their dependents and overseas voters using a military application, a qualified voter may apply to cast a mail-in absentee ballot through the online portal up to fourteen (14) days before the Primary or General Election if the voter is:

1. A resident of Kentucky who is a member of the Armed Forces and their dependents or voters residing overseas
2. A student who temporarily resides outside the county of his or her residence
3. A voter who is incarcerated in jail and charged with a crime, but has not been convicted
4. A voter who is changing or has changed his or her place of residence to a different state while the registration books are closed in the new state of residence before an election of electors for President and Vice President of the United States, in which case the voter shall be permitted to cast a mail-in absentee ballot for electors for President and Vice President of the United States only
5. A voter who temporarily resides outside the state, but is still eligible to vote in this state
6. Prevented from voting in- person at the polls on election day and from casting an excused or no -excuse in-person absentee ballot on all days in-person absentee voting is conducted because he or she will be absent from the county of his or her residence all hours and all days excused or no excuse in- person absentee voting is conducted
7. A participant in the Secretary of State's crime victim address confidentiality protection program
8. A voter who is not able to appear at the polls on election day or the days in-person absentee voting is conducted on the account of age, disability, or illness, and who has not been declared mentally disabled by a court of competent jurisdiction.

If you qualify to cast a mail-in absentee ballot for one of the reasons above, you may access the online portal at govote.ky.gov. The absentee ballot tab will not be available until forty-five (45) days before the date of the Primary or General Election and closes fourteen (14) days preceding the Primary or General Election.

Voter Identification

Some voters may be required to verify their identity when submitting a mail-in absentee ballot application. If you do not have a photo ID on file with the State Board of Elections, you may be asked to upload an image of an acceptable form of identification. Voters using an alternative form of ID (such as a Social Security card or government benefits card) will also need to complete a Voter Affirmation Form (SBE 71), which can be filled out through the GoVote.ky.gov portal or downloaded here: Voter Affirmation Form (SBE 71)(PDF, 45KB).

Accessibility

If you have a disability that prevents you from marking a paper ballot and you would like to request an accessible absentee ballot or for guidance related to the state's accessible absentee portal, please call (502) 574-5886 or (502) 574-5889.

Absentee Ballot for Medical Emergencies

In case of medical emergency within fourteen (14) days or less of an election, a registered voter and the registered voter's spouse may apply for an absentee ballot. Please call (502) 574-5886 or (502) 574-5889 for more information.

Military and Overseas Voters

Voters who are Members of the Armed Forces and their dependents or voters residing overseas, please visit govote.ky.gov to access the military and overseas voter ballot portal.

Drop-off Locations

List of Ballot Drop-off Locations