Voter rights and responsibilities

As a Kentucky voter, you have the right to:

• Vote if you are registered
• Ask questions on election procedures
• Review a sample ballot before voting
• Vote in privacy and free from coercion or intimidation
• Have non-discriminatory equal access to the elections system for all voters, including elderly, disabled, and minority, military and overseas citizens.
• Vote if you are in line to vote by 6 p.m., prevailing time on election day
• Occupy the voting booth up to two minutes if others are waiting in line
• Have your ballot count if it is cast legally and timely
• Vote in an accessible voting place
• Receive assistance in voting if you are blind, have a physical disability, or have an inability to read English. (The person assisting you can be a someone you choose or the two precinct election judges, except that the voter’s employer, an agent of that employer, or an officer or agent of the voter’s union shall not assist a voter.)
• Skip races if your ballot has multiple issues. You are not required to vote in every race. Blank sections on your ballot will not affect any of the other votes you have cast.

To be eligible to register to vote, a person must:

• Be a resident of Kentucky not less than 28 days before the election
• Be at least 18 years old by the date of the next General Election
• Not be a convicted felon (or, if so, have had your civil rights restored)
• Not have been judged mentally incompetent in a court of law
• Not claim the right to vote anywhere outside Kentucky

Minors 17 years of age who will become 18 by the November general election are eligible to vote in the prior May primary election.

If you are uncertain whether you are registered to vote or unsure if you are registered to vote at your current address, please visit the Kentucky Voter Information Center.

As a Kentucky voter, you have the responsibility to:

• Register to vote at least 29 days before the election
• Respect the privacy and voting rights of others
• Follow instructions concerning election procedures
• Follow all federal and state voting laws
• Review your ballot before casting it to ensure it is complete and correct
• Treat election workers and other voters with courtesy and respect
• Be informed about the candidates and issues on the ballot
• Keep your voter registration and address records current

Identification

Any federal, Kentucky, local government or school-issued identification card with picture and signature of the voter is valid.   A driver's license is what most people use. 

This election, no one may be turned away from voting for not having a photo ID if they don’t have it because of COVID-19 or for some other legitimate reason.   In this case, you'll still have to show ID, but it can be a Social Security Card, any ID issued by a county in KY that’s been approved by the State Board of Elections and shows voter’s name), any ID card with both the voter’s photograph and name, any food stamp ID card, electronic benefit transfer card, or supplemental nutrition assistance card issued by KY that shows voter’s name, or a credit or debit card that shows voter’s name.

How Do I Report Instances of Election Fraud or other problems?

If you believe that your right to vote has been violated, please contact one of the following:

• 1-866-OUR-VOTE
• Attorney General’s Election Fraud Hotline (800) 328-8683
• Local County Clerk – see list
• State Board of Elections (502) 573-7100
• Precinct Election Officers