Your guide to voting early in the November 2022 election in Lexington and Kentucky

Jackie Starkey

While Tuesday is midterm Election Day across the U.S., voters in Kentucky have the option to cast their ballots early, no excuse needed.

Early, in-person voting runs for three days across the Bluegrass State – Nov. 3, Nov. 4 and Nov. 5. Here’s what you need to know about casting your ballot ahead of Election Day, including options for those with and without a qualifying excuse.

When is the early voting period in Kentucky for the November 2022 midterms?

The state’s three-day early voting window for all Kentuckians is Thursday, Nov. 3, Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov. 5.

During these days, each county will offer at least one in-person early voting site for registered voters who do not wish to vote on Election Day Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Early voting for all Kentuckians is a relatively new process, enacted in 2020 as election officials across the U.S. grappled with conducting voting amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Kentucky’s early voting is the shortest period offered by any U.S. state. Across the country, early voting periods range from three days to 46, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The average length is 23 days, and four states offer no universal early voting period.

Where do I vote early in Fayette County? What times are the polls open?

Fayette County voters can vote early all three days from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Lexington Senior Center, located at 195 Life Lane, Lexington, KY 40502.

County Clerk Don Blevins, the election administrator, said Wednesday his office was working to set up the site for voting. In the past Blevins raised concerns over the difficulty of finding locations in Lexington to adequately host early voting. Wednesday, he said he had not received any feedback on using the senior center.

“I believe, this time only, that the Senior Center will be sufficient and if we have lines they should be short and not a big problem,” he wrote in an email to the Herald-Leader. “In the future, as more voters learn of the option, this will undoubtedly become more popular.

“The Secretary of State has said publicly that early voting is a ‘supplement’ to Election Day, and not a ‘replacement,’” Blevins continued. “I understand his intent, however over time I believe voters will think otherwise.”

The senior center should have signage directing voters to the polling area, and Blevins said he was asking that early voting be used by those who “really need it.”

I live outside Lexington, where can I vote early?

Voters who live in other parts of Kentucky can find their in-person, no-excuse absentee voting location using the Kentucky State Board of Elections polling place locator tool.

Once you select your county, you can see not only the early voting location, but ballot drop boxes locales and Election Day polling places.

Here’s the locations for counties surrounding Fayette:

  • Scott County: Scott County Public Library, 104 S. Bradford Lane, Georgetown, KY 40324 (Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

  • Bourbon County: Bourbon County Legion Park, 30 Legion Drive, Paris, KY 40361 (Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)

  • Clark County: Clark County Court House, 34 South Main St., Winchester, KY 40391 (Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday)

  • Madison County: Russel Acton Folk Center, 212 W. Jefferson St., Berea, KY 40403; Madison Co. Extension Office, 230 Duncannon Lane, Richmond, KY 4047; and Madison County Public Library, 507 W Main St., Richmond, KY 40475 (Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

  • Jessamine County: Jessamine County Court House, 101 N. Main St., Nicholasville, KY 40356 (Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

  • Woodford County: Woodford County Clerk, 130 Court St., Versailles, KY 40383 (Hours are 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday)

Who can vote early in Kentucky?

Any registered voter can participate in the early voting period with no excuse needed in their county. Kentucky’s deadline to register to vote has passed, but you can register for next year’s elections.

Do I need an ID to vote in Kentucky?

Registered voters must show photo identification to cast a ballot in Kentucky as of 2020. Acceptable forms of identification include state- and federal-issued IDs (like a driver’s license or military ID), one issued by a public or private college or university and other government IDs.

Those without photo ID may still be able to vote by signing an affirmation form.

Can I still vote by mail in the November election?

The state’s vote-by-mail request portal closed Oct. 25. However, those who requested and received their ballot still have time to fill it out and return it.

You can mail it back through the U.S. Postal Service or drop it in your county drop box. Your ballot must be received by your county clerk by 6 p.m. on Election Day.

How else can I vote early in Kentucky?

For those with a qualifying excuse, early in-person voting took place county clerk’s offices from Oct. 26 to Nov. 2.

Blevins said turnout for excused early voting was “very light” as of Wednesday morning.

“That’s likely due to expanded use of the mail-in absentee option, as it appears many voters ‘discovered’ this option via the massive mail-in use in 2020,” he wrote.

What if I want to vote on Election Day?

Tuesday, polls will be open across Kentucky from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

You will need to vote at your assigned polling place, and you can use the state’s locator tool to find your voting location.

Do you have a question about voting or civic engagement 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.

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