Information on the Kentucky General Election - November 3rd, 2020

Here are some highlights about how this year’s election will work:    

• All Kentuckians concerned about COVID-19 may request a ballot at www.GoVoteKY.com starting now.
• October 9 is the deadline to request your mail-in ballot through www.GoVoteKY.com.
• Requested ballots won’t get printed and mailed to you until September 15, so don’t worry if it doesn’t arrive right away.  
• You should fill out your mail ballot completely, including signing and sealing both envelopes and not removing any flaps.
• You can mail in your completed ballot or drop it off at a secure drop box in your county or at the county clerk’s office.
• The deadline to mail in or drop off a completed ballot is November 3rd, but do it as early as possible.
• Early in-person voting (for people who didn’t vote by mail) begins October 13 including at least 4 hours on 3 Saturdays leading up to election day.
• Counties may reduce the number of sites for in-person voting November 3rd, but there will be at least one countywide site.  
• Voters who are unable to get photo ID because of COVID-19 will be allowed to vote.

Decide how you will vote:

• Vote by Mail - To get your ballot, ask online here:
• https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/ovrweb/govoteky
• You must apply by October 9, 2020 no later than 11:59 p.m.
•  The sealed & signed envelopes MUST be delivered by mail to the County Clerk by 6 pm local time on Election Day.
• Remember: The inner and outer envelopes must be signed & sealed for the ballot to be counted.
• Early Absentee: During the 2020 General Election, any registered voter may request to receive an absentee ballot in the mail.
• Online: Request ballot online by visiting http://govoteky.com/ and clicking "Absentee Ballot Request".
• If you are in the military, their dependent or an overseas citizen, request ballot online here: Military, their Dependents, or an Overseas Citizen.
• Walk-in to clerk's office prior to Election Day. No appointment is needed. Find County Clerk office hours and contact info here: https://elect.ky.gov/About-Us/Pages/County-Clerks.aspx
• Vote in Person on Election Day
• Due to the pandemic, there are fewer polling locations.
• Be safe/Follow Health Official Guidelines
• Plan ahead! Find your ride ahead of time.
• Know your polling place: https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/ovrweb/govoteky

Instructions To Voters Voting a Mail-In Absentee Ballot

STEP 1: Complete the Absentee Ballot

• Follow the instructions provided by the County Clerk for marking your choices on the ballot.
• Vote for only one (1) candidate per race unless the ballot instructions indicate otherwise.
• Marking more choices than allowed will result in an over vote and the vote for that race will not be counted.
• If a mistake is made with a pencil, erase the mistake completely, and correct the mistake.
• If a mistake is made with a pen, mark your choice on the ballot, and circle the name of the candidate for whom you want to vote.
• If someone assists you with completing the absentee ballot, he/she must complete and sign the voter assistance form.
• When you are finished marking your ballot, double check it for accuracy.
• Place the voted ballot in the inner envelope.

NOTE: The voter can not be assisted by his/her employer, an agent of the employer or an agent of the voter’s labor union.

STEP 2: Sign & Seal Inner and Outer Envelopes

• DO NOT DETACH THE FLAP on the inner envelope. If the flap is detached, the ballot will not be counted.
• THE FLAP on the inner envelope MUST BE SIGNED by the voter on the signature line indicated by an X. If the flap is not signed, the ballot will not be counted.
• The inner envelope containing the ballot MUST BE SEALED. If the envelope is not sealed, the ballot will not be counted.
• Place the signed & sealed inner envelope into the outer envelope.
• The outer envelope MUST BE SIGNED & SEALED by the voter. If the outer envelope is not signed on the signature line located in the upper left-hand corner and sealed, the ballot will not be counted.

NOTE: If a “mark” is used instead of a signature, two (2) witnesses must sign in the spaces indicated on the inner envelope flap and on the outer envelope. Any person having power of attorney (POA) for the voter who signs the flap and the outer envelope for the voter MUST complete and sign the voter assistance form and include a copy of the POA.

STEP 3: Return the Envelopes to the County Clerk

• Affix proper postage to the outer envelope and mail it to the County Clerk. ALL absentee ballots MUST be returned by mail. HAND DELIVERY WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED for mail-in absentee ballots. The Post Office or delivery service (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.) will aide you in the correct amount of postage or delivery fee.
• Medical emergency absentee ballots are allowed to be hand-delivered.
• The ballot WILL NOT be counted if it is delivered after 6 pm local time on Election Day.

NOTE: Any voter who receives an absentee ballot by mail and knows at least seven (7) days before the election that he/she will be in the county on Election Day and has not mailed the absentee ballot, SHALL cancel the absentee ballot and vote in person. Contact the County Clerk for instructions on returning the canceled ballot. The canceled ballot must be returned no later than seven (7) days prior to the election. This information does not apply to those unable to appear at the polls due to age, disability, illness or medical emergency absentee ballots.

Make sure you are registered to vote: To register: https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/ovrweb/ Deadline to register is October 5, 2020

For more information on voting in Kentucky: Visit the Kentucky - Voter Information Portal  http://govoteky.com

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