For most college students, the 2024 presidential election will be their first opportunity to vote for a president. The election, which will be held on Nov. 5, 2024, allows students to voice their opinions regarding the future of the United States.
Many voters will also have the opportunity to vote in various state and local races, and Kentucky voters will have the opportunity to vote on two constitutional amendments. Given that college students are new to voting, many are unfamiliar with the voting process. Here is a short overview of voting options and information so that students can ensure that their voices will be heard in this upcoming election, whether it be in a local race or the presidential race.
If you are a Kentucky voter and are unsure where your polling place is, are unsure if you have registered to vote or are unsure what party you have registered for, you can visit: https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/vic/. Additionally, https://www.vote.org/am-i-registered-to-vote/ provides shortcuts to voting information for all 50 states.
Anyone who meets the voting requirements and is 18 by Nov. 5 is eligible to vote in the upcoming election, but they must be registered. The deadline to register to vote in Kentucky is Oct. 7, by 4 p.m. Every state has a different voter registration deadline; if you are unsure of the deadline in your state, visit https://www.vote.org/voter-registration-deadlines/.
Anyone who will not be in the county where they are registered to vote has the ability to apply for an absentee ballot, also known as a mail-in ballot, to cast their vote. Kentucky voters will be eligible to request an absentee ballot from Sept. 21 through Oct. 22. Kentucky absentee ballots may be requested here: https://vrsws.sos.ky.gov/abrweb/. You may view absentee ballot applications for other states here: https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-6-states-with-online-absentee-ballot-application-portals.
Absentee ballots must be received by their county clerk’s office by 6 p.m. on election day (Nov. 5), or the ballot will not be counted.
Additionally, if you would like to vote in person but cannot do so on Nov. 5, Kentucky voters may attend unexcused in-person absentee voting from Oct. 31-Nov. 2. Students who will not be in their county of residence on election day or cannot attend during no-excuse-in-person absentee voting may vote in person Oct. 23-25 and Oct. 28-30.
For more information regarding voting in Kentucky, you can visit https://elect.ky.gov/Pages/default.aspx.
For more information regarding out-of-state voting, you can visit https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/table-6-states-with-online-absentee-ballot-application-portals.
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