Information Icon
Become a Poll Worker Today

It’s never too early to help democracy! By signing up to be a poll worker, you can ensure that all voters—including voters with disabilities, voters who need language assistance, and voters who want to cast their ballot in person—have a positive experience at the polls. Sign up today!
English Español
Voting in My State
Voter Registration
Voter Guides
About Vote411
Register to Vote

There are 2 ways to vote absentee: In-person and Mail-In. The qualification criteria are different for each. Both are described below.

Extra-Early Excused in-person absentee voting:

To qualify for Extra-Early excused in-person absentee voting, you must fulfill one of the following criteria: 

  •  Age, disability or illness that prevent later voting
  • Living out of state temporarily
  • Living out of county temporarily as a student
  • Working or commuting during voting hours
  • Scheduled surgery and hospitalization (self or spouse)
  • Pregnancy in last trimester
  • Working as election officer
  • A military or overseas voter
  • A uniformed services voter confined to base

Note: Normal early voting does NOT require an excuse and occurs the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before Election Day. To learn more click here.

Mail-In Absentee Voting:

Mail-in absentee ballots must be requested through the GoVote.KY.gov portal. The last day to request an absentee ballot is 14 days before the election. Completed absentee ballots must be received by the county clerk’s office by 6pm local time on Election Day in order to be counted. To check the status of your absentee ballot click here.

To qualify for a mail-in absentee ballot, you must fulfill one of the following criteria: 

  • Age, disability or illness prevent in-person voting
  • Living out of state temporarily
  • Living out of county as a student temporarily
  • Out of county for all hours of in-person voting
  • In jail on criminal charges, but not been convicted of the crime
  • In the crime victim address confidentiality program
  • Military or overseas voters

The portal will open no later than 45 days prior to the election to receive absentee ballot requests. Voter ID will be verified through the portal.

Note: Voters who request a mailed absentee ballot are not able to vote in person instead, unless they have not received their requested absentee ballot.

Special Circumstances (Disability/No Internet, Active Military and People with Medical Emergencies within 14 Days of the Election.)

People with disabilities who are unable to use the portal, people who do not have internet and people who are otherwise unable to use the portal may call their County Clerk to have their information verified and entered into the portal for them.

You can apply for a medical emergency absentee ballot if a medical emergency occurs within 14 days before an election. The spouse of the voter can also apply for an absentee ballot on their behalf. You would request this through your county clerk’s office. 

Overseas citizens and U.S. military personnel can find information on how to register to vote and request an absentee ballot at the Overseas Vote Foundation.

Button
No