Q: If I have a driver’s license am I automatically registered to vote?

A: NO. You can register to vote when you get your driver’s license or Real ID office.

Q: Will I receive a voter registration ID card when I register to vote?

A: NO.  Kentucky does not issue voter registration ID cards. You will receive a confirmation card in the mail after your registration has been processed in the Clerk’s office.

Q: Do I need to take anything with me when I go to the polls?

A:  YES. You must produce identification prior to voting.  KRS117.227 and 31 KAR 4:010 provide the types of ID that can be used by the voter such as:

1.  Kentucky Driver’s license, Kentucky Identification Card or Real ID
2. Social security card
3. Any U.S. government-issued identification card with your picture and your signature
4. Any Kentucky state government-issued identification card with your picture and signature
5. Other identification card with both your picture and your signature

Q: I am a student. Do I vote here or in my home county?

A: Students have the choice to register in their home county or to register in the county where they are attending school, but must vote in the county in which they are registered.

Q: How often do I need to re-register?

A: You do not need to re-register as long you are voting.  You will need to update your registration if you change your name, address or party affiliation.

Q: What should I do if I change my name?

A:  Update your voter registration on-line at www.govote.ky.gov, mail in a new registration card or in person at the county clerk’s office.   An update can also be done when you update your driver’s license.

Q: Are seventeen year olds eligible to vote?

A:  YES. A seventeen year old may register and vote in primary elections as long as they will be eighteen by the date of the next general election.

Q: I previously had a felony conviction. Can I still register to vote?

A: NO, unless your voting rights were restored by the Governor.  To check eligibility for restoration of civil rights please go to https://civilrightsrestoration.ky.gov/Pages/home.aspx or call the Department of Corrections at 502-564-4360

Q: What should I do if I move?

A: Moves within the county: Update your address at www.govote.ky.gov; in person at County Clerk’s office or mail in a new registration card. You can also update your address when you update your driver’s license. If you have not done this before Election Day you may still cast your ballot.

A: Moves outside of the county: If you move to another Kentucky county before an election, you must register in your new county before the books close in order to vote. If you move during the 28 day period that the books are closed, you may return to your previous county to vote in that one election only. You will need to change your registration to your new county as soon as the registration books reopen.

Q: How do I change my party affiliation?

A:  You can change your party online at www.govote.ky.gov or go to your County Clerk’s office.  While you may change your party affiliation anytime, to qualify to vote in a primary you must change your party affiliation by December 31st of the current year.  If you change your affiliation between January 1st and the primary election date, you can only vote in the nonpartisan primary races.

Q:  Can I vote for either party in a primary?

A: NO. Kentucky has a closed primary system and only recognizes Democrat and Republican parties for primaries. You must be registered in a specific party to vote in a partisan primary.  In the general election you may vote for any candidate regardless of party affiliation.

Q: What hours are the polls open?

A: The polls are open from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. You MUST be in line by 6:00 pm in order to vote

Q: Do I have to go to a specific polling location?

A:  NO.  In Kenton County you can go to any available polling location to get your precinct specific ballot if you use the Express Vote ballot marker.  If you require a pre-printed ballot they must go to your assigned precinct location.

Q: Is voter registration proof of residency?

A. NO. Your voter registration information only proves the date you registered to vote in the county.

Q: When I register to vote in Kenton County does that automatically delete me from the voter rolls elsewhere?

A: NO. If you were registered in another county in Kentucky, you will automatically be removed from your previous county. If you are registered in another state, you will need to contact that state to be removed from their voter rolls.

Q: I am moving out of the state and want to register in a new state. How can I be removed from the registration rolls here?

A:  Fill out the REMOVAL FORM and return to the County Clerk.

Q: What if I need assistance at the polls?

A:  Under the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), all states are required to have a voting machine in each polling place that allows anyone with a disability to cast a ballot free of outside assistance.  Voters may ask for voting assistance if they are:

1. Voters who cannot operate the machine due to a physical disability
2. Voters who are blind or visually impaired
3. Voters who are unable to read English

If a voter requests assistance they can bring a person of their choice or two election officers (one of each party) may assist the voter.  A person may not be assisted by their employer, the employer’s agent, a union officer or agent of that voter’s union.

Q: How do I find out what is on the ballot?

A:  A publication ballot will be published in the local newspaper at least 7 days before election day. Or call 859-392-1620 and inquire about the elections to be held in your county.

Q: How do I operate the voting machine?

A: You may request instructions on the voting machines from the precinct election officials when you arrive to vote.

Q: Can I vote by Provisional Ballot?

A: A provisional ballot is only used to cast a ballot for federal offices by an individual who resides in the voting precinct and falls under one of the circumstances below:

• A voter whose name does not appear on the roster and whose registration status cannot be determined by the precinct officer.
• A voter whose name does not appear on the roster and who has been verified as ineligible to vote.
• A voter who does not have identification.
• A voter who is voting as a result of a federal or state court order or any order under state law in effect 10 days prior to election day which extends the polling hours.
• A voter who has been challenged by all four precinct election officers.

Q: What if I can’t get to the polls on Election Day?

A: Some voters qualify to vote by absentee ballot either in person at the county clerk’s office or by mail.  Review the “HOW TO VOTE ” section on this website or call 859-392-1620 for more information.