Kentucky’s primaries are set for May 16. Here’s other big 2023 election dates to know
With a whopping 12 Republican candidates and three on the Democratic side, the primary races for nominees to be Kentucky’s next governor have heated up in recent weeks.
Candidates in the packed GOP field have sparred in recent debates, launched costly attack ads and even cried foul over residency claims.
There are other primary races on the ballot as well, including secretary of state, treasurer and more.
Voters will head to polls to cast a primary ballot Tuesday, May 16, but there are other opportunities to vote this spring. We’ve rounded up a quick guide of dates to know for the 2023 races, including the primary, the general election and everything in between.
Now through Tuesday, May 16: Those with a medical emergency can submit a notarized application to their county clerk for an absentee ballot.
Wednesday, May 3 to Wednesday, May 10: Excused, in-person absentee voting underway during business hours at clerk’s offices across the state.
Acceptable reasons to vote excused absentee in Kentucky during the primary include:
Voters with age, disability or illness barriers that prevent them from voting on Election Day or during early voting.
Students temporarily residing outside of the county in which they are registered to vote.
Voters temporarily living or vacationing out of state.
Voters in jail and charged with a crime, but not convicted.
Those with a job that will require them to be outside of the county they are registered to vote in on Election Day and during the early voting period.
Those in the armed forces and their families who are overseas and other voters residing overseas.
Those who are in the Kentucky secretary of state’s address confidentiality program.
Tuesday, May 9: The final day Kentuckians can apply for a military/overseas absentee ballot under Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act is May 9. You can apply for a ballot online using the Federal Post Card Application.
If you submit the application for the primary, it will also serve as your application for a UOCAVA ballot for the general election.
May 9 is also the final day for voters who requested and received an absentee-by-mail ballot who want to cancel it to return it to their respective county clerk’s office.
Thursday, May 11 to Saturday, May 13: In-person early voting kicks off statewide.
During the three-day early voting period, any registered Kentucky voter can cast a ballot in their respective party’s primary with no excuse needed.
In Fayette County, the early voting site is on the University of Kentucky campus at Kroger Field, 1540 University Drive, Lexington, KY 40506. The site will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 16: Primary Election Day in Kentucky is may 16. Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. statewide, and all those in line by 6 p.m. and eligible should be able to cast their ballot under the law.
This is also the final day to return your mail-in ballot to your county clerk if you used this method to vote absentee. That deadline is 6 p.m. local time.
Friday, May 19: At noon May 19, all county clerks must certify the total number of votes cast to the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office.
Tuesday, May 23: The deadline to ask the votes to be recanvassed is 4 p.m. May 23. If a request is made, county election boards will conduct the recanvass Thursday, May 25 at 9 a.m.
Tuesday, May 30: County boards of election will send out certificates of nomination.
Summer: A number of filing deadlines are set for June and August, including those for candidates and local options.
Monday, Sept. 18: This is the deadline for county offices to print paper ballots and absentee ballots for the general election.
Saturday, Sept. 23: The online portal to request a ballot by mail opens for the general election Sept. 23.
Tuesday, Oct. 10: The final day to register to vote in Kentucky in time for the general election is 4 p.m. local time Oct. 10. Mail-in registrations postmarked by the same day will be accepted.
Tuesday, Oct. 24: The online portal to request an absentee-by-mail ballot closes this day. Paper applications for medical emergencies will be accepted through Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Wednesday, Oct. 25 to Wednesday, Nov. 1: In-person, excused absentee by voting gets underway at county clerks’ offices for those with a qualifying excuse.
Friday, Oct. 27: This is the last day to file your declaration as a write-in candidate in November’s election.
Tuesday, Oct. 31: Halloween is the cut-off for those applying for military/overseas ballots for the general election.
Thursday, Nov. 2 to Saturday, Nov. 4: In-person early voting takes place across Kentucky in the general election, and no excuse is needed to cast your ballot ahead of election day using this method.
Tuesday, Nov. 7: General Election Day across Kentucky is set for Nov. 7. Polls will be open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 13: County clerks must certify the number of votes by noon Nov. 13.
Tuesday, Nov. 14: The 4 p.m. deadline to request a recanvass is Nov. 14. If requested, the counties will conduct the recanvass at Thursday, Nov. 16.
Monday, Nov. 27: The Kentucky State Board of Elections will certify winners by Nov. 27, under the law.
Sunday, Dec. 31: The last day of the year is the final day to change your party affiliation ahead of the next year’s primary.
You can find the state’s complete election calendar online.
Do you have a question about the 2023 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.
