2026 Midterms State GuideKentucky
Hold on to your Ale-8 and Derby hats.
- PrimaryStatewideMay 19This date has passed.
- Election DayGeneralNov. 3
Updated
Hi! It’s me, Shadrach. Apparently, I’m your civic guide today. If you’ve been complaining about how things are going (and I’ve heard you, the walls are thin), this guide will help you feel informed and able to vote in this year’s midterms. Now, hold on to your Ale-8 and Derby hats, and let’s get into it.
Kentucky at a glance
Kentucky votes on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, for U.S. Senate, all 6 U.S. House seats and one statewide ballot measure.
- Election Day
- Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026
- Voter registration
- Oct. 5: Voter registration deadline
- Early voting
- Oct. 21 to Oct. 28: In-person early voting (excused only).
- U.S. Senate
- 3 candidates
- U.S. House
- 6 seats
- Statewide ballot measures
- 1
Your to-do list
0 of 3 doneImportant dates
- Sept. 19Absentee ballots must be available and distributed to military and overseas voters This date has passed.
- Oct. 5Voter registration deadline
- Oct. 20Absentee ballot request deadline
- Oct. 21 to Oct. 28In-person early voting (excused only).
- Oct. 29 to Oct. 31In-person early voting (no excuse required)
- Nov. 3Election Day
- Nov. 3Absentee ballot return deadline
What’s at stake
The Bluegrass State has the quietest ballot in its region: forecasters rank the Senate race solidly Republican, no House seat is competitive, and there’s no governor’s race this cycle. The current governor, Andy Beshear, is a Democratic outlier in an otherwise deep-red state, boasting a 65% approval rating and putting him among the most-popular governors in the nation. Otherwise, voters have per-usual pocketbook concerns: 39% of voters named the economy as the most important issue facing Kentucky today. Below that, 15% of voters thought healthcare was most pressing, then threats to democracy (14%), housing affordability (10%), and education (8%).
Who’s on your ballot
Tap a race to see the candidates.
- Get to know ’em
Christopher CampbellIndependent
All U.S. House of Representatives seats are up for election every two years. Find your district here.
- Shadrach’s big picture
Kentuckians will elect six candidates to represent them in the House. Republicans are expected to hold five of those seats.
- Open seats
Two. Rep. Thomas Massie (KY-4) was defeated in the primaries by Trump-backed Ed Gallrein, and Rep. Andy Barr (KY-6) was the only incumbent who did not seek reelection; he is running for Senate.
- Competitive districts
Cook doesn't rank any district in Kentucky competitive (KY-3 is solidly Democrat, and the rest are solidly Republican). Candidates in both parties filed to run in all six districts, so no district is guaranteed to either party, but no House seat has crossed party lines since 2012.
Statewide ballot measures
1 to read before you go. Tap one to open it.
This amendment would prohibit the governor from pardoning or commuting sentences from 60 days before a gubernatorial (governor) election until the 5th Tuesday after the election. It also makes the language in this section gender neutral. Currently, the only limitation on governor pardoning power is that he/she cannot pardon or reprieve impeachments.
Voting yessupports barring the governor from pardoning or commuting sentences from 60 days before a governor’s election until the 5th Tuesday after it, and making the section’s language gender neutral.Voting noopposes this constitutional amendment, keeping the governor free to pardon or commute sentences at any time, including right around an election (the only current limit is on impeachments).
Also on the ballot
Other races Kentucky voters will decide.
- State Senate
- State House
- State Supreme Court
- Intermediate appellate courts
- School boards
- Municipal government
Whose job is it?
Ten things government does. Tap the office that does each one.
Whose job is it to…
1 of 10
Declare a state of emergency after a hurricane or flood?
Pass it on
Know someone voting in Kentucky?
Send them the guide. It takes one tap, and it saves them an evening of arguing in a group chat.
A prayer for Kentucky
Good Father, we pray for Kentucky as they prepare to vote. Thank you for the privilege voters have to cast their vote for the good of their community. Sharpen their attention, help them see the ballot with your eyes, and help them vote with both conviction and humility.
May candidates campaign with integrity. Remind them that the office is not a mere prize to be won, but a profound responsibility to steward carefully. If they win, surround them with wise counsel and guide them toward decisions that serve their constituents. For those who lose, bring comfort and give them grace for their actions.
Draw near to all tempted toward anxiety, anger, or despair. Guard their hearts with a peace that this political moment cannot give. No candidate or ballot decision usurps your sovereignty or thwarts your good purposes.
Amen.