Election Department
The Rowan County Clerk is responsible for conducting all Special, Primary, and General Elections within the County. Also, the Clerk’s Office upholds all voter registration information and is responsible for making sure all election laws set forth by Kentucky Revised Statutes are maintained properly. See the links below for more information regarding elections and voter information.
Kentucky County Clerk’s are united in securing our elections
KCCA-Securing-Our-ElectionsImportant Election Dates: 2026 Elections Schedule
PRE-ELECTION ACTIVITIES
November 5, 2025 – Earliest date for the affixing of signatures on candidate filing forms for an office on the ballot in 2026.
December 31, 2025 – Last day to change political party affiliation and be eligible to vote in the political party’s upcoming primary election.
January 9, 2026, at 4 PM – Candidate filing deadline: last day to file nomination papers for candidates who must run in the primary.
April 20, 2026, at 4 PM – Last day to register to vote for the primary.
June 2, 2026, at 4 PM – Non-partisan candidate filing deadline.
October 5, 2026, at 4 PM – Last day to register or make changes for the General Election.
PRIMARY ELECTION
April 4, 2026, to May 5th, 2026, at 11:59 PM – Online mail-in absentee portal open for PRIMARY ELECTION mail-in ballot requests.
April 20, 2026, at 4 PM – Last day to register to vote for the primary.
May 6th to 8th and 11th to 13th, 2026 – Excused, in-person absentee voting.
May 14th to 16th, 2026 – in-person, no-excuse early voting.
May 19, 2026, from 6 AM to 6 PM – PRIMARY ELECTION DAY.
GENERAL ELECTION
November 3, 2026, from 6 AM – 6 PM – GENERAL ELECTION DAY.
VOTING DETAILS:
In-Person Excused Absentee Ballots must be submitted at the County Clerk’s Office.
3-day early voting will be held at the Carl Perkins Center from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on each of the three business days preceding the election.
On Election Day, the Polls will be Open from 6 AM to 6 PM.
Note: Ballots for the elections may be returned by mail or to the secure drop box located outside the Rowan County Courthouse during regular business hours of 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday. Ballots must be received in the clerk’s office on the day of the election, before 6:00 PM.
The outside drop box is available at all hours under video surveillance, and a secure indoor drop box is located in the deed room, accessible from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.