Centre Votes
Democracy in the United States depends upon and expects citizens to be engaged at the national, state, and local levels by exercising their right to vote.
Voting FAQs
U.S. citizens 18 years old and older can vote. In the state of Kentucky, you can be 17 and vote in a Primary election if you will be 18 by the General Election. You also must reside in Kentucky for at least 28 days before an election to vote in it.
Kentucky is also a “Closed Primary” state, meaning you must register as a Democrat or Republican to vote in either party’s primary election. If you choose to register in another political group or organization or designate independent status, you will not be eligible to vote in Republican or Democrat party primary elections. However, you are eligible to vote in nonpartisan primary elections. All voters, regardless of party affiliation, may vote in general and special elections.
Residential college students who are U.S. citizens may choose to register and vote at their home address or their campus address, so long as they will reside in Kentucky for at least 28 days before the election. Meaning, you have a choice to vote here in Boyle County with the school address of 600 W Walnut St, Danville, Kentucky 40422 OR your home address.
Voting information for college students
Remember, you should only be registered to vote in one place, so if you are registered in another state and want to change your registration to Kentucky, you must unregister in your home state. Also remember, you can only vote in the county and at the precinct where you are registered.
How Should I Make This Decision?
- Consider where you will be near or on Election Day.
- Vote where you consider home to be.
- Vote where the candidates and ballot issues matter most to you.
- Vote where you are involved in the community.
Each state creates their own election rules, so you should check the Secretary of State's website in the state you plan to register in for specific guidance. You must register before the deadline in the state where you intend to vote. In Kentucky you can register in person, online or via mail and you must do so at least 29 days before the election. The deadline to register in Kentucky for the November 7th General Election is October 10, 2023 at 4pm EST.
Kentucky Voter Registration Information
- Registered Kentucky voters can check their registration status at any time.
Check my voter registration status - You can stop into the Office of Civic & Community Engagement (OCCE) on the 2nd floor of the Combs Warehouse during business hours to get a paper voter registration form. OCCE will mail completed forms for you.
- Visit your County Clerk’s Office to submit an application in person.
Find my County Clerk's office - Kentucky Online Voter Registration
Register online now
Have your social security or Kentucky driver's license number at hand.
Other State Voter Registration Information
- Deadlines and processes to register and vote vary state by state. Additionally, opportunities for early voting and absentee ballot use will vary from state to state.
- Vote.org provides registration, absentee ballot, and early voting links for all states.
Find voting information for my state
Step 1: Confirm both your registration and polling location on the Kentucky Voter Information Portal.
Find my registration and polling location
Step 2: Do your research and familiarize yourself with the ballot.
View sample ballots in Kentucky
Step 3: All Kentucky voters must produce identification to vote. Examples of a valid photo ID include a driver’s license, College ID, Kentucky government ID, Military ID.
Read more about valid forms of ID
Step 4: Vote at your polling site on Election Day. Polls are open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM local time. If you are in line at 6:00 PM, you will be allowed to vote. The Office of Civic & Community Engagement (OCCE) will provide rides to the polls for students who request it.
Contact OCCE
Step 1: Confirm your registration. If you are registered in Kentucky, you can confirm on the Kentucky Voter Information Portal.
Visit the Kentucky Voter Information portal
If you are registered in another state you can check on your secretary of state's website.
Find confirmation sites in other states
Step 2: Do your research and review sample ballots before voting.
Review sample ballots in Kentucky
Step 3: All Kentucky voters must produce identification to vote. Examples of a valid photo ID include a driver’s license, College ID, Kentucky government ID, Military ID.
Read more about valid forms of ID
If you are voting early in another county or state, you can find your Early In Person Voting locations on your secretary of state, county clerks, or courthouse website.
Step 1: Confirm your registration. If you are registered in Kentucky, you can confirm on the Kentucky Voter Information Portal.
Visit the Kentucky Voter Information portal
If you are registered in another state you can check on your secretary of state's website.
Find confirmation sites in other states
Step 2: As early as possible, apply for your absentee ballot. Voters in other states should check their state Secretary of State website for guidance. In most cases you will need your Social Security Number to apply for your ballot.
Apply for Kentucky absentee ballot
Step 3: Check the website frequently. It will tell you when they accepted your application, when your ballot was mailed, and when it was delivered. Check your mail frequently as well. While you are waiting for your ballot, do your research.
View sample ballots in Kentucky
Step 4: Once you receive your ballot, fill it out right away. You may return your ballot via mail or by dropping it off in a ballot drop box.
- Mail ballots must be postmarked by Election Day.
If you believe you have wrongly been kept from casting your ballot, please contact Election Protection by calling 866-OUR-VOTE or visiting their web site and clicking on Kentucky to find resources. Visit the Election Protection website