Ready to vote in the Nov. 7 election in Kentucky? Here’s how to find your polling place

For those who didn’t take advantage of Kentucky’s early and mail-in voting opportunities — or if you’re simply a staunch Election Day voter — polls will open at 6 a.m. Tuesday across the commonwealth for the 2023 General Election.

Kentucky’s race for governor is among the most watched in the country this fall, not to mention one of the most expensive. The most recent campaign finance reports show Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear outraised Republican challenger and Attorney General Daniel Cameron in the month prior to Oct. 11. Beshear’s campaign also has a bit more cash on hand and has raked in millions more than Cameron’s over the course of this election cycle, including the primary.

Candidates in down-ballot races also brought in decent contributions during the most recent reporting period, including incumbent Secretary of State Michael Adams, a Republican, and the GOP’s nominee for attorney general, Russell Coleman.

Beshear and Cameron took to the debate stage five times in October and both appeared at a gubernatorial forum. They have sparred repeatedly on several hot button issues, including the right to an abortion in the Kentucky, teacher shortages and respective responses to the coronavirus pandemic.

Ads from outside groups have also played a role in the highly publicized race for governor, including a recent 30-second radio spot from Black Voters Matter Action PAC denounced by Cameron as racist and a September PAC-funded commercial slammed by Beshear for including an image of his daughter, a minor.

Tuesday polls will be open statewide for 12 hours — 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time. All voters in line by 6 p.m. will be allowed to cast a ballot.

The deadlines to register to vote and request a mail-in ballot have passed, but those who think they may be eligible should visit their polling place and speak with an election worker.

In the event you are unsure of your precinct location, have moved recently or just want to check, we’ve rounded up some resources below to find your polling place, ballot drop boxes and other pertinent information.

The Herald-Leader also has comprehensive coverage of the races, voter information, endorsements and more available online through our 2023 voter guide.

How to find your Kentucky polling place on Election Day, Nov. 7

The easiest way to find your precinct is using the State Board of Elections’ voter lookup tool, available online at vrsws.sos.ky.gov/VIC/.

The portal, which also allows registered voters to review the status of absentee-by-mail ballots, requires you to enter your first and last legal name, date of birth and optional Social Security number. You can use the tool to review your registration for accuracy, including ensuring you have your most current address on file, and find your precinct location.

If your precinct information does not display an address, the state offers a complete list of polling locations throughout the commonwealth by county that you can use to cross reference your site. You can find the listing at elect.ky.gov/Voters/Pages/Polling-Locations.aspx.

Alternatively, some counties offer their own voter lookup tools through respective clerks’ websites. Fayette County voters can use the online tool at fayettecountyclerk.com/web/elections/verifyvoter.htm to access their registration information using their Social Security number and birth date. An interactive precinct lookup tool for the county is also available online.

Where can I find a ballot drop-box? Where can I return my mail-in absentee ballot?

Each county offers at least one secure, official drop box where mail-in voters can return their ballot in person. The location of drop boxes is included in the SBOE’s polling place list online.

Voters in Fayette and surrounding counties can return their ballots to the following drop box locations:

Fayette County: Fayette County clerk’s office (sidewalk out front), 162 E. Main St., Lexington, KY 40507

Jessamine County: Jessamine County courthouse, 101 N. Main St., Nicholasville, KY 40356

Woodford County: Woodford County courthouse, 130 Court St., Versailles, KY 40383

Scott County: Scott County courthouse, foyer on the first floor, 101 E. Main St., Georgetown, KY 40324

Bourbon County: County clerk’s office, main floor, 301 Main St., Paris, KY 40361 or the county clerk’s basement vehicle room, 301 Main St., Paris, KY 40361

Madison County: Madison County clerk’s office (Berea), 304 Chestnut St., Berea, KY 40403, or the Madison County clerk’s office (Richmond), 321 N. Madison Ave., Richmond, KY 40475

Clark County: Clark County Courthouse, 34 South Main St., Winchester, KY 40391

If you’re returning your ballot to a drop box or clerk’s office, it must be handed in no later than 6 p.m. on Election Day. If you opt to return it by mail, it must be postmarked no later than Tuesday.

Be sure to fill out your ballot completely and as instructed to ensure your vote is correctly counted.

The state’s elections portal, govote.ky.gov, also has plenty of information for voters on finding resources, updating your registration and more. There, you can also pull up your voter information to check the status of your absentee ballot if you opt to vote by mail.

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.