(1) The General Assembly hereby finds that knowledge of procedures for voter registration and participation in elections is essential for all Kentucky students to acquire the capacities established in KRS 158.645(2) and (4). Instruction in election procedures is consistent with the goals of responsible citizenship established in KRS 158.6451.

(2) Every secondary school shall provide students in the twelfth grade information on:

(a) How to register to vote;

(b) How to vote in an election using a ballot; and

(c) How to vote using an absentee ballot.

(3) A school may provide this information through classroom activities, written materials, electronic communication, internet resources, participation in mock elections, and other methods identified by the principal after consulting with teachers.

• To register to vote, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen and a Kentucky resident for at least 28 days before the election.

  • • Non-U.S. citizens, including U.S. nationals do not qualify.

• Be at least 18 years old by the next General Election.

  • • Kentucky law allows qualified individuals to register at 17 years of age and be able to participate in a Primary Election if the individual will be 18 years old by the General Election.

• Not be a convicted felon, or else have had your civil rights restored.

• Not have been adjudged mentally incompetent and had voting rights removed.

• Not claim the right to vote outside Kentucky.

Have you registered before but aren't sure? Click on the link to check your current registration status from the Kentucky State Board of Elections. Please note to check your registration information your name must be the same as how you initially registered.

The provided poster is a simple form that may be used to hang up in a class, school, or at a registration drive table. The provided bit.ly and QR code brings the user to this JCPS Votes website. On this website the students or teachers may use the provided steps to register to vote, learn if and where they are registered, and how to vote via absentee ballot or on election day. 

The provided is an excerpt (text only) from the manual that is shared with Election Officers. For questions about Voter Identification, please contact the Jefferson County Election Center. Note from the Jefferson County Election Center: "Even though a school ID would qualify as a form of identification, it would not qualify as a form of photo identification as that term is defined in the statute. It qualifies as a form of secondary id and the voter would still need to sign an affidavit setting out the impediment that has prevented the voter from procuring proof of identification as defined under KRS 117.001."

Identification of a Voter

A photo ID is required to vote. A valid photo ID is a document issued by:

• The United States or the Commonwealth of Kentucky

• The United States Department of Defense, a branch of the uniformed services, the Merchant Marines, or the Kentucky National Guard

• A public or private college, university, or postgraduate technical or professional school located within the United States

• A city government, county government, urban-county government, charter county government, consolidated location government, or unified local government located within Kentucky

The document must contain:

1. The name of the individual to whom the document was issued; and

2. A photograph of the individual to whom the document was issued

KRS 117.001 states that for “proof of identification” the ID only be issued by the Commonwealth of Kentucky or the U.S. Government and contain the name along with the photograph of the individual that the document is issued to. It does not state that an ID cannot be expired. Do not turn a voter with an expired ID away.

What if the Voter Doesn’t Have a Photo ID?

Voters who cannot obtain a photo ID can sign a Voter Affirmation Form stating the reason for their inability to obtain a photo ID and present one of the following IDs:

• Social Security Card

• Any ID issued by a county in Kentucky that has been approved by the State Board of Elections and shows the voter’s name

• Any ID card with both the voter’s photograph and name

• Any food stamp ID card, electronic benefits transfer card, or supplemental nutrition assistance card issued by Kentucky that shows the voter’s name

• A credit or debit card that shows the voter’s name

Personal Acquaintance

A voter’s identity still can be confirmed by personal acquaintance with an Election Officer, but the Election Officer must sign an “Election Officer Affirmation” stating that they know the voter and that they know the voter is a resident of the community. 

JCPS Language Services has provided translations of this page, JCPS Votes, in the following languages: 

• Arabic -  تصويت منطقة JCPS التعلمية في الانتخابات - PDF

• Spanish - JCPS vota - PDF

• Swahili - Kura za JCPS - PDF