Election Day is 2 weeks away. Here’s other important Kentucky midterm dates to know
This year’s midterm election is just two weeks away, and Kentucky candidates are making a final push to win over voters ahead of Nov. 8.
With a number of contests on the ballot — U.S. Senate and House races, state and local contests and two constitutional amendments, including a high-profile ballot question on abortion — voters have a lot to keep up with.
To help you prepare, we’ve rounded up some dates to know for the 2022 election.
Tuesday, Oct. 25: Mail-in ballot portal closes.
The deadline to use the state’s absentee-by-mail portal is 11:59 p.m. EST Tuesday, and you can request your ballot by visiting the state’s request portal.
Tuesday, Oct. 25 to Tuesday, Nov. 8: A voter or legally authorized representative can submit a notarized application for a mail-in absentee ballot within 14 days of the election due to a medical emergency.
Wednesday, Oct. 26 to Wednesday, Nov. 2: In-person, excused early voting begins in Kentucky. To cast a ballot during this period, you must have a qualifying excuse.
Fayette County voters can cast their ballot early with an excuse from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the county clerk’s office, located at 162 E Main St. in Lexington.
This is for voters who have not requested to vote by mail.
Tuesday, Nov. 1: The deadline for military and overseas voters to request their absentee ballot through the state’s portal.
This is also the last day a voter who previously requested an absentee ballot by mail but has not voted the ballot can return it to the clerk’s office and instead vote in person.
Thursday, Nov. 3 through Saturday, Nov. 5: Early, in-person voting begins with no excuse required.
This three-day early voting period allows all registered Kentucky voters to cast their ballot ahead of Election Day. You do not need a qualifying excuse, but you must be registered to vote and you must present required identification.
Acceptable IDs include driver’s licenses, social security cards, federally issued IDs and more. If you do not provide identification, you will be asked to vote a provisional ballot.
Fayette County voters can visit the Lexington Senior Center at 195 Life Lane from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov. 5 to participate in early voting.
If you live in another county, you can use an online tool to search early voting locations for your area.
Tuesday, Nov. 8: Election Day. In Kentucky, the polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time for registered voters.
You must visit your assigned precinct on Election Day, and all voters in line by 6 p.m. are allowed to cast a ballot.
Mail-in ballots must be returned to the respective county clerk by 6 p.m. on Election Day.
Friday, Nov. 11: Canvass day. County boards of election will certify the votes in their jurisdiction and provide that information to the state.
Tuesday, Nov. 15: The deadline for anyone who would like to request a recanvass of the vote.
Saturday, Dec. 31: The deadline to change your registered party affiliation ahead of the 2023 primaries.
You can find the full 2022 Kentucky election calendar online.
Do you have a question about elections in Kentucky for our service journalism team? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.