Who is eligible to vote in Kentucky’s May primary? Plus other key information to know
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Kentucky 2023 Primary Election
Primary Day in Kentucky is May 16, and the Herald-Leader has everything you need to know about races and candidates across Kentucky.
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Kentucky’s primary election Tuesday will set the stage for one of three gubernatorial races in the nation this year.
Louisiana and Mississippi join the Bluegrass State in holding 2023 races for governor, and Republican candidates and outside groups in Kentucky have spent nearly $6 million on ads alone.
Twelve GOP candidates will appear on the ballot for the Republican nomination for governor, while three candidates, including incumbent Gov. Andy Beshear, are on the Democratic Party ballot.
While the gubernatorial nominations have drawn attention, several other important statewide races will be appear down ballot, including secretary of state, state treasurer and more.
In preparation for you to cast your ballot May 16, we’ve rounded up some important information for voters statewide, including who is eligible to participate this election cycle.
Who can vote in the 2023 primary election in Kentucky?
Kentuckians who were registered to vote by the April 17 deadline can participate. That said, Kentucky is a closed primary state, meaning you must be registered with the party in question to vote that party’s primary ballot.
The deadline to change your party registration was Dec. 31, 2022.
If you are not registered with a major party, you still may be able to vote depending on the races in your area.
Do I need a photo ID to vote in Kentucky?
Yes, Kentucky has required voter identification since 2020. Your ID must have your name and photo, and it can be expired, if that’s what you have.
A driver’s license is a common and acceptable form of ID. Other acceptable forms include:
- An ID issued by the commonwealth or federal government, including the U.S. Department of Defense
- An ID issued by a college or university, postgraduate or professional school.
- An ID issue by any government entity in the state.
If you do not have an ID, you may still be able to cast your ballot using a voter affirmation form.
How do I check my registration status and party affiliation?
You can visit govote.ky.gov to find statewide election information, including and Kentucky State Board of Elections tool to research your registration status.
Some county clerk’s offices also offer a voter lookup tool.
Can 17-year-olds participate in Kentucky’s primary?
In some cases, yes. If you are 17 years old and will be 18 in time for the Tuesday, Nov. 7 general election, you can vote in the primary election.
Can I vote if I am not registered?
Kentucky does not offer same-day registration. If you visit the polls and find issues with your registration, speak with a poll worker about your options.
The state does conduct list maintenance, which includes purging voter rolls of individuals who may have moved away, died, been convicted of a felony, etc. The state does not remove voters for not participating or inactivity in election cycles.
Can I still vote absentee in the election?
Not unless you are returning a pre-requested mail-in ballot or a have medical emergency.
The state’s no-excuse-needed early voting period wrapped up Saturday, and excused, in-person voting at county clerks’ offices closed May 10.
If you have a mail-in ballot, you have until 6 p.m. local time May 16 to return it to you clerk’s office. They can be hand-delivered into a secure drop box in your county.
Under Kentucky law, those who experience a medical emergency can submit a notarized request for an absentee ballot from their county clerk through Election Day.
Do you have a question about the 2023 election 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.
This story was originally published May 10, 2023 at 10:27 AM.
