Pre-18 voter registration in
Kentucky
In Kentucky 58,694
people turn 18 every year.
Kentuckians can 
pre-register before turning 18.
To register to vote in Kentucky, you must be: 18 by Nov 3rd, 2026. That means all eligible seniors and most juniors in your high school can register to vote today and vote at 18*.
*In Kentucky, 17-year-olds can vote in primaries if they will be 18 by Nov 3, 2026.
High school students can help one another get ready to vote. 
Next Steps!
How to Register to Vote in Kentucky
Upcoming Elections:
- May 19th, 2026 - Kentucky Primary Election (Register by Apr 20th, 2026)
- Nov 3rd, 2026 - Kentucky General Election (Register by Oct 5th, 2026)
Useful Links:
- Registration Form - Download the paper registration form for Kentucky.
- Registration Status - Check if you are already registered, your polling place, and more from your state’s voter registration website.
- Fair Elections Center - Learn about conducting a registration drive in Kentucky.
- Vote 411 - A nonpartisan resource to help you register, preview your ballot, and find key election information from the League of Women Voters.
- VoteRiders - Find out what forms of ID you can use to register and vote, and get help getting a valid form of ID.
Full Registration Details
By Mail: ID Requirements
When submitting your application by mail in Kentucky, you are required to provide your full Social Security number. If you do not have a Social Security number, leave that field blank. You will not be denied the right to register to vote if you do not include your Social Security number.
By Mail: Eligibility Requirements
To register in Kentucky you must:
be a United States citizen
be a Kentucky resident for at least 28 days before the election in which you plan to vote
be at least 18 years old on or before the next general election
have not been convicted of a felony, or if you have been convicted of a felony, your civil rights must have been restored by expungement, Executive Pardon, or Executive Order
have not been judged "mentally incompetent" in a court of law
not claim the right to vote anywhere outside Kentucky
By Mail: New Voter Instructions
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your jurisdiction and are mailing your registration application, federal law requires you to show proof of identification the first time you vote. Proof of identification includes current and valid photo identification OR current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or government document that shows your name and address. More information here.
Online Instructions
To register online in Kentucky, you need to provide your full Social Security number. If you don’t have a Social Security number, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail.
More information here.
Kentucky High School Educators!!!
Support your students’ voter registration effort with our free toolkit.
Kentucky Requirements for High School Voter Registration
The county clerk shall provide voter registration forms annually to each public and private high school. Each school shall have a designated person who shall be responsible for informing students of the availability of the registration forms and assisting them in registering.
The State Board of Education shall implement annual programs of public education regarding elections, voting procedures, and election fraud, which shall include an audio-visual presentation for high school juniors and seniors.
About this information
This page presents a curated compilation of voting and election information, specifically geared toward high school students, their families, and educators.
Information about deadlines and voting laws is retrieved via the Democracy Works Elections API and was last retrieved on Mar 30th, 2026; the API compiles election guidance from official government sources and other vetted data providers, and details may change over time. Information concerning requirements for high schools is based on The Civics Center’s analysis of State Requirements for High School Voter Registration and was last updated on Mar 27th, 2026.
See More
Information about youth turning 18 each year is from the U.S. Census, and information on the number of 18-year-olds who have not yet registered is based on applying TCC’s analysis of Census data and state voter files. We also provide links to trusted resources, including VoteRiders (for voter ID information) and Fair Elections Center (for information about laws governing voter registration drives).
These pages are offered for guidance only and are not intended as legal advice. Please consult state election officials or an attorney if you have questions about any particular situation. We hope you find this useful. To cite our resources and original research, please provide links and/or cite The Civics Center.
© 2026 The Civics Center
Signing Up Shows Your Support
By adding your name, you’re not just staying informed — you’re helping us show funders and partners the growing movement to improve youth voter engagement!
Stay connected with updates, results from our campaigns, and the latest insights on youth voter engagement.