The last day for Kentuckians to register to vote in the general election is Monday, Oct. 7.
Residents can register to vote online, by mailing a completed voter registration form to their local election office or by submitting the form in-person at the Christian County Clerk’s Office, 511 S. Main St., Hopkinsville. U.S. citizens who are overseas or deployed in the military can register by completing a Federal Post Card Application.
Online, in-person and overseas registrations must be received by 4 p.m. on Oct. 7. Mailed forms must be postmarked by Oct. 7.
How to check your voter registration status
Kentuckians who are unsure if they are registered or need to confirm their registration information is up-to-date can check their voter status on the state’s election website.
Eligible individuals who register to vote in Kentucky should receive a voter confirmation card from the county clerk after being added to the voter roll. Voters can also confirm their voter registration application by contacting the clerk’s office.
Qualifications to vote
According to the State Board of Elections, the qualifications for voters to register in in Kentucky are:
- Be a U.S. citizen and a Kentucky resident for at least 28 days before the election. Non-U.S. citizens, including U.S. nationals do not qualify.
- Be at least 18 years old by the next General Election. (Kentucky law allows qualified individuals to register at 17 years of age if the individual will be 18 years old by the general election.)
- Cannot be a convicted felon. For some with an expungement, executive pardon or executive order, the right to vote may be restored.
- Cannot have been judged mentally incompetent in a court of law and have voting rights removed.
- Cannot claim the right to vote outside Kentucky.
What’s on the ballot
The presidential and U.S. Congress races will be on the ballot on Nov. 5. There is one contested state House race with incumbent Republican Rep. Myron Dossett, of Pembroke, facing Democratic challenger Twyla Dillard, of Hopkinsville, as well as two constitutional amendments.
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In Christian County, ballots will also include races for Hopkinsville, Crofton and Oak Grove city councils, Lafayette and Pembroke city commissions, the court of appeals and the Christian County Board of Education.
You can download the sample ballot here.
Early voting options
Mail-in absentee
Kentucky voters who want to cast an absentee mail-in ballot in the November general election — and have a qualifying reason to do so — must make their request for the ballot no later than 10:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22. The request can be made online. In the case of a medical emergency within 14 days of the election, a voter or their authorized representative may submit a notarized paper application for an absentee ballot through Nov. 5.
Among those who qualify to vote with a mail-in ballot are voters who are temporarily living out of state, such as college students. Here’s a list of all of the qualifying reasons for an absentee mail-in ballot.
Voters must return the ballots to the county clerk’s office by 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
In-person absentee (excused)
In-person absentee voting is another option for Kentucky voters who have a qualifying reason, such as a planned surgical procedure. In Christian County, in-person excused absentee voting will be conducted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 23 to 25 and Oct. 28 to 30, at the clerk’s office in the Christian County Courthouse.
In-person absentee (all voters)
Prior to Election Day, there are three early voting dates — from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 at the James E. Bruce Convention Center, Christian County Senior Center and the Boys & Girls Club (Walnut Street Center). No qualifying reason is needed under state law to vote on these days.
Election Day voting options
Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov 5. In Christian County, 13 polling places will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov 8. It’s three fewer locations than were offered during the last general election, following a county election board decision to remove Friendship House, Cedar Grove Baptist Church and Concord Baptist Church as voting sites.
Regardless of where they reside, voters may use any of the following Election Day polling places:
- James E. Bruce Convention Center, 303 Conference Center Drive
- Christian County Courthouse, 511 S. Main St.
- Christian County Senior Citizens Center, 1402 W. Seventh St.
- Oak Grove Community Center, 1705 Thompsonville Lane
- Indian Hills Elementary School, 313 Blane Drive
- New Barren Springs Church, 5012 Dogwood-Kelly Road
- New Palestine Baptist Church, 9997 Dawson Springs Road
- Sinking Fork Baptist Church, 5800 Princeton Road
- Pembroke Baptist Church, 144 S. Main St.
- Crofton City Hall, 101 E. Mill St.
- South Christian Elementary School, 12340 Herndon-Oak Grove Road
- Boys and Girls Club of Hopkinsville-Christian County, 1600 Walnut St.
- Hopkinsville Middle School, 434 Koffman Drive
Julia Hunter is the engagement editor for Hoptown Chronicle. Reach her at julia@hoptownchronicle.org.
