Kentucky voter registration deadline approaches

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As the Nov. 5 general election nears, so does the deadline to register to vote in Kentucky. 

Kentuckians will vote in a number of elections.

According to The Washington Post, the Kentucky governor’s race is considered “potentially competitive,” meaning the state may flip parties. Republican Gov. Matt Bevin is facing a challenge from current state Attorney General Andy Beshear, a Democrat and son of former governor Steve Beshear, who served two terms as governor from 2007-2015. 

Encouraging young people to vote 

According to the Commonwealth of Kentucky State Board of Elections, during the 2015 gubernatorial election, 11.5% of registered voters between the ages of 17 and 24 voted.

Drew Seib, interim political science and sociology department chair at Murray State, said low turnout among this demographic can have consequences.

“This age demographic accounts for about 10% of the U.S. population and should have their share of the voice and outputs of government,” Seib said. “Yet, because this group is much less likely to vote, they are often ignored by politicians and members of government.”

Looking at surveys, he said multiple political issues, including education and Social Security, garner opposing views from young people and the older age groups. Because turnout among the older age demographic is higher, their concerns tend to be met with more focus.

“This also is the reason that the youth need to vote and ensure that their voice is heard just as loudly as anyone else,” Seib said. 

Student groups on Murray State’s campus are taking steps to get people registered and thinking about voting.

Abby Rock, a senior and president of Murray State College Republicans, said the organization hosted a voter registration drive recently, but they continue to make phone calls and campaign door to door to encourage people to vote. 

“It is essential that young people cast their ballot, as we cannot expect our public officials to pay attention to us and the issues we care about if we fail to show up to the polls,” Rock said.

Looking ahead, Ryan Ackermann, a sophomore and secretary of Murray State College Democrats, said the organization has scheduled voter registration tabling events on Sept. 25-26 and Oct. 2-3 and 7 at the Curris Center.

“Taking advantage of full citizenship is very important for politicians to respect the needs of all voters,” Ackermann said. “We want a system that works for the people and for the future because we are the future.” 

For college students, some of whom are voting for the first time this year, navigating the election process can be challenging. 

Information about voting and other tools can be found on the Kentucky Secretary of State Voter Information Portal.

Registering to vote 

As long as you will be 18 years old on or before Election Day, you are eligible to register to vote.

To register, you are required to provide your Social Security number, date of birth, driver’s license number and current address. Click here to get started.

Besides registering, there is an option to update your voter registration information. Students who wish to change their residency to the county they attend college in can do so here. This will allow you to more easily vote in person.

The deadline to register is Oct. 7.

Requesting an absentee ballot 

Students who attend college outside their home county can also opt to vote via absentee ballot. 

To do so, contact your county clerk to request an absentee ballot application. This can be done by phone, fax, email, mail or in person. Once you complete your application, a ballot will be sent to you.

Absentee ballots must be requested at least seven days before the election. The ballot must then be completed and returned to the county clerk’s office by 6 p.m. local time Nov. 5 in order to be counted.

To find out if you are eligible for an absentee ballot, check here.