Accessible Voting in Kentucky
For the Tuesday, November 5, 2024 General election in Kentucky
- In Kentucky, there are changes in who can assist a voter with their mail ballot.
- In Kentucky, check with your state or local election officials for information about voting response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
- In Kentucky, there is a question about citizenship and voting on the ballot.
Voting Information
Visit your state Kentucky Voter Rights page
Phone: (800) 246-1399 or (502) 573-7100
Contact your local election office for polling places and other information.
Read the REV UP voting guide for your state
Register to vote
- Voter registration in Kentucky
- Deadlines and information in 18 languages at vote.gov
Your rights
As a voter with a disability, you have a right to vote privately and independently, at an accessible voting location, on an accessible voting system.
Organizations that can help If you can't find the information you need at your state or local election office.
- Contact your local Center for Independent Living
- Contact your state National Disability Rights Network office.
- Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE to report any problems voting
Other websites for voting information
- REV UP Voting Guides for voting info and plain language definitions
- VoteRiders for Voter ID requirements
- Vote.gov for information about registering to vote
- Vote411.org for what’s on your ballot
Voting features in Kentucky for voters with disabilities
- Ask your local election office if you can vote by mail for all elections.
- Ask about accessible vote-by-mail system
Self-advocacy! Ask your local election office about:
- Information in large print, audio, or Braille versions
- Curbside or drive-up voting.
- Ballot delivery to your home or a “ride to the polls” program
- How to practice using the accessible voting system
- Emergency voting options if you are hospitalized or ill
- How to get assistance voting
- Other services for voters with disabilities
Learn more about the laws that protect your rights
Early voting is voting in person before Election Day, which is usually less crowded than going to vote on Election Day itself. There are different kinds of early voting, so check the options available for you. They might include:
- vote centers where you can vote at any location in your jurisdiction
- super polling places where you are assigned a location
- voting at an elections office or satellite office
- in-person absentee, where you go to an elections office, get your mail ballot, and then mark and cast it in the office.
Early voting is called in-person absentee voting in Kentucky.
October 31 through November 2, In-person absentee voting is available from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. at county clerks' offices or other designated locations.
Early voting hours and locations can vary. Check with your local elections office.
- All voters are asked to show a photo ID.
Learn what ID you can use at VoteRiders
- You can drop off your ballot at all early voting locations for your jurisdiction.
Find an early voting center near you.
When you vote in person on Election Day, you go to a voting center to mark and cast your ballot in person. Every in-person voting location is required to have accessible voting systems available.
Polling places are open from 6:00 am - 6:00 pm.
- All voters are asked to show a photo ID.
You can drop off your mail ballot at your local elections office on Election Day.
Find your polling place.
Accessible voting systems for in-person voting
The accessible voting systems used in Kentucky are shown below. Contact your local election office for more information or a change to practice using the system you will vote on.
ES&S ExpressVote
A ballot marking device.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls on a small keypad.
The printed ballot is a list of selections printed on a narrow card.
Ballots are cast at a separate scanner.
Learn more about using ExpressVote
- Short video tutorial from Pennsylvania (YouTube 1:53)
- Video from Michigan (You Tube 12:29)
- Information about ExpressVote from Pennsylvania
Hart InterCivic eSlate
Electronic voting system.
It has audio and tactile controls, using the Hart move wheel.
Ballots are cast electronically.
It may have a paper audit record.
Learn more about using the Touch Writer
- Short video tutorial from Hart (YouTube 4:42)
- How to Vote eSlate with VVPAT (YouTube 6:05)
Hart InterCivic Verity Touch Writer
A ballot marking device.
It has a touchscreen, audio, and tactile controls using the Hart “move wheel.”
The printed ballot is a facsimile of a hand-marked paper ballot.
The ballot is cast at a separate scanner.
Learn more about using the Touch Writer
- Short video tutorial from Hart (YouTube 2:29)
- Longer instructional video from Michigan (YouTube 11:36)
- Information about Verity Touch Writer from Pennsylvania
- Verity Touch Writer product page from Hart InterCivic
Hart InterCivic Verity Duo
A ballot marking device.
It has a touch screen, audio, and tactile controls using the Hart move wheel.
The printed ballot is a list of selections read by OCR.
Ballots are cast at a separate scanner.
Learn more about using the Duo
- Short video tutorial from Hart (YouTube 1:25)
- How to vote on the Duo (YouTube 2:09)
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Voting by mail can be an accessible option for voters with disabilities. It lets you vote at home, so you can mark, verify and return a paper ballot privately and independently. Some states have emergency options if you are hospitalized or ill. |
Deadline to return your ballot:
Received by the close of polls on Election Day, November 5.
How to get your ballot
- Voters must have an excuse to vote by mail.
- All voters must request a ballot for each election.
To get your ballot you can:
Request a form from your local elections office.
How to return your ballot
By mail
At a secure drop box
At your local elections office
Find a ballot drop-off location near you at your local elections website.
Make sure your ballot counts! Remember...
Make sure your ballot is sealed in the envelope.
Sign the form on the envelope.
Put enough postage on the envelope.
- A family member, household member, or caregiver can return your ballot for you. Contact your local elections office for more information.
- If someone helped you, have them complete the form for assistants.
Learn about accessible voting by mail options in the next card.
Accessible voting by mail allows voters with disabilities to mark a mail-in ballot electronically, using their own technology and assistive tools.
To use accessible tools for voting by mail, typically voters:
- Download an electronic ballot to mark using personal technology
- Print the ballot and any signature form
- Seal the ballot in an envelope
- Return it by mail or to a ballot drop off locatoin
Some states allow electronic return by email, fax, or a secure portal.
In Kentucky, the accessible vote by mail program is run by the local elections offices
Contact your local election office to learn how to request and use the accessible absentee portal.
Deadline to return your ballot:
Received by the close of polls on Election Day, November 5.
Returning a printed ballot
To return a printed ballot:
- Print the marked ballot and check it to be sure it is marked correctly
- Follow the instructions to complete any forms that must be returned with the ballot.
- Sign the voter’s signature form
- Seal the ballot in an envelope
You can return your ballot:
- By mail
- At a secure drop box
The systems in use in Kentucky for accessible voting by mail are:
Enhanced Voting Enhanced Ballot
Accessible system for voting by mail.
Electronic ballot delivery to mark and print.
Claims WCAG 2.0 Level AA and Section 508 compliance.
Learn more about using Enhanced Ballot
Learn more about accessible voting options in Kentucky