Voter Registration FAQ’s

Voting

"If I have a driver's license am I automatically registered to vote?"
Not necessarily. You have the opportunity to register to vote when you visit the driver’s license office, but you will only be registered if you fill out and sign a registration card before the date the books close.
"Will I receive a voter registration ID card when I register to vote?"
We do not issue voter registration ID cards. You will receive a confirmation post card in the mail shortly after you register or update your current information. This card will confirm your new precinct information and list your voting location.
"How often do I need to re-register?"
You do not need to re-register unless you move out of the county and then return. Keeping your address updated with our office and voting regularly will keep your registration active.
"I am a student. Do I vote here or in my home county?"
Students have the choice to stay registered in their home county or to register in the county where they are attending school.
"Are seventeen year olds eligible to vote?"
Seventeen-year-olds may register and vote in primary elections as long as they will be eighteen by the date of the next general election.
"What should I do if I change my name?"
You will have to fill out and sign a new voter registration card. You may do this by mail or in person at either the county clerk’s office or the driver’s license office. If you are granted a legal name change by the courts, you may have to provide a copy of the name change document.
"I previously had a felony conviction. Can I still register to vote?"

Convicted felons must have their voting rights restored before they can register to vote. You may contact your local parole office or go to https://civilrightsrestoration.ky.gov/ to obtain an application for Restoration of Civil Rights.

"When I register to vote in Scott County does that automatically delete me from the voter rolls elsewhere?
If you were registered in another county in Kentucky, you will automatically be deleted from your previous county. If you were registered in another state, you will need to contact that state to be deleted from their rolls.

Polling

"What identification can I bring to the polling place?"

A: All voters must produce identification at the polling place.  Further information regarding valid forms of ID may be found at Voting In Kentucky – YouTube or Voter ID Requirements​

"What hours are the polls open? Can I go to a precinct near my office instead of the one where I live?
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. All voters must vote in the precinct that serves their current residential address.
"What if I need assistance at the polls?"
Voters who qualify for assistance at the polls may be assisted by anyone of their choice except their employer, agent of their employer, union head, or agent of their union. If the voter does not bring anyone with them, two election officers (one of each party) may assist the voter. The following people may receive assistance at the polls:

  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
"What if I can't get to the polls on Election Day?"

Some voters qualify to vote by absentee ballot either in person at the county clerk’s office or by mail. You may review the Absentee Voting section or call the voter registration office for more information, (502) 863-7875, Extension 236.

Party

"How do I change my party affiliation?"
You may change your party affiliation at any time; however, you must change your affiliation between the primary date and December 31st of the current year in order to be eligible to vote in your new party’s next primary election. If you change your affiliation between January 1st and the primary election date, you will only be able to vote in the nonpartisan primary races.
"Being registered as an Independent means I can vote for either Republican OR Democrat in a Primary, right?"
This is a common misconception about the Independent party affiliation. If someone is registered as an Independent, that person is only eligible to vote for nonpartisan races that may appear on a ballot in a Primary Election.
"If I am not registered as a Democrat or a Republican may I vote for any democrat or republican candidates of my choice in the May Primary?"
No. If you are registered with a political group or organization, or as an Independent, you cannot vote in any of the partisan races, but you may vote in all nonpartisan primary races. The nonpartisan offices include urban county mayor, urban county council, school board, soil and water conservation, and all judicial offices. In the GENERAL election in November, you may vote for any candidates of your choice regardless of party affiliation.

General

"What should I do if I move?"
Moves within the county: Update your address with the county clerk in person or in writing, or change your address at the driver’s license office. If you have not done this before Election Day you may still cast your ballot. You must go to the voting precinct that serves your new address on Election Day to vote and update your registration address at that time.
Moves outside of the county:Registration books close 28 days before each election. If you move to another Kentucky county you must register in your new county before the books close in order to be eligible 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.
"Is voter registration proof of residency?
No. Your voter registration information only proves the date you registered to vote in the county.
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