What you need to know

• Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.
• Excused early voting is scheduled for Oct. 21-23 and Oct. 26-28.
• No-excuse early voting is available Oct. 29-31 to all eligible voters.
• Barren County voters can vote at an Election Day voting center, but should confirm the final list of locations and addresses with the county clerk.

GLASGOW, Ky. — The 2026 general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with early voting options available for eligible voters ahead of Election Day.

Barren County voters can cast their ballots during an excused early voting period, take advantage of no-excuse early voting or vote in person on Election Day.

Here is what Barren County voters need to know before heading to the polls.

How can I vote?

There are three main ways to vote in the 2026 general election: request a mail-in absentee ballot, vote early in person or cast a ballot on Election Day.

Mail-in absentee voting

The deadline to request a mail-in absentee ballot was Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. The request portal opened Sept. 19.

Mail-in absentee voting is available to voters who meet Kentucky's eligibility requirements. Voters can review the requirements and submit a request through GoVote.KY.gov.

Completed mail-in ballots must be received by the county clerk by 6 p.m. local time on Election Day to be counted. Voters are encouraged to return their ballots early rather than wait until Election Day.

The United States Postal Service recommends voters mail their ballots at least one week prior to the acceptance deadline. This year, that date would be Oct. 27.

Excused early voting: Oct. 21-28

Kentucky voters who qualify for excused early voting can cast their ballots on Oct. 21, 22 and 23, and Oct. 26, 27 and 28.

In Barren County, excused early voting will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Barren County Clerk's Office, 117-1A North Public Square in Glasgow.

This option is limited to voters who meet the state’s eligibility requirements.

No-excuse early voting: Oct. 29-31

All eligible voters can cast their ballots during Kentucky’s no-excuse early voting period on Thursday, Oct. 29; Friday, Oct. 30; and Saturday, Oct. 31.

In Barren County, voting will be available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the University of Kentucky Barren County Extension Office, 1463 W. Main St. in Glasgow.

Voters do not need to provide an excuse to vote during this period.

Early voting locations and hours vary by county. Voters can check the latest information through GoVote.KY.gov or the Barren County Clerk’s Elections Center.

Where can I vote on Election Day?

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

Barren County uses voting centers rather than requiring voters to cast ballots at a traditional precinct assigned to their residence. Under this system, eligible voters can vote at any one of the county’s designated voting centers, regardless of where they live within the county.

The county clerk’s website lists the following Election Day voting locations.

• Austin Tracy Elementary gymnasium: 2477 Austin Tracy Road, Lucas, KY 42156.
• Barren County High School gymnasium: 507 Trojan Trail, Glasgow, KY 42141.
• Beckton Community Center: 2244 Beckton Road, Glasgow, KY 42141.
• Cave Area Conference Center: 502 Mammoth Cave St., Cave City, KY 42127.
• Glasgow Middle School: 105 Scottie Drive, Glasgow, KY 42141.
• Haywood Volunteer Fire Department: 67 Matthews Mill Road, Glasgow, KY 42141.
• Hiseville Elementary gymnasium: 149 Cardinal Blvd., Hiseville, KY 42152.
• Park City Lions Club: 2025 J. Brown Road, Park City, KY 42160.
• Temple Hill Elementary cafeteria: 8788 Tompkinsville Road, Glasgow, KY 42141.

Voters can use GoVote.KY.gov to look up official voting information and confirm their options before leaving home.

Useful tips for voting in Kentucky

• Bring an acceptable form of identification. Kentucky requires voters to provide proof of identity before voting. Acceptable photo identification includes documents issued by the U.S. government or Kentucky, qualifying military identification, and identification issued by a U.S. college or university, provided the document bears the voter's name and photograph. Some additional alternatives are available under state law. See the Kentucky State Board of Elections’ voter ID guidance for details.
• An expired driver’s license may still be accepted. Kentucky’s election guidance says an ID should not be rejected solely because it is expired. Voters with questions about an out-of-state license or other identification should contact the county clerk before Election Day.
• Stay in line. Voters who are in line when polls close at 6 p.m. local time are entitled to cast their ballots.
• Check your voting location and registration information. Visit GoVote.KY.gov before heading to the polls, particularly if you have moved or need to confirm your registration details.
• Ask for assistance if you need it. Voters who need help because of a disability or difficulty reading English may qualify for assistance when voting. Election officers can explain voting procedures and available options.
• Review your ballot ahead of time. Check which candidates and offices will appear on your ballot before you go to vote. The Barren County Clerk’s Elections Center provides links to election information and sample ballots.

Meet the candidates

Barrenside is covering the candidates and local races on the November ballot to help Barren County voters learn more about the people seeking public office.

Explore Barrenside’s candidate interviews:

• Glasgow Mayor candidates Bob Miller and Henry Royse.
• Take our candidate alignment quiz to see which Glasgow City Council candidates align with your views and priorities.
• See who is vying for two seats on the Barren County Fiscal Court.
• Glasgow Independent school board candidates Dr. Barret Lessenberry and Jonathan Talley speak with Brennan Crain about priorities

The ballot includes races for mayor and city council in Cave City, as well as mayor and city commission seats in Park City. Competitive races also include a constable contest and seats on the Caverna Independent School District Board of Education.

Many other races are uncontested, with candidates either advancing through the primary without opposition or running unopposed after only one candidate filed for an office. That includes two seats on the Barren County Board of Education.

Constitutional amendment on the ballot

Kentucky voters will decide this fall whether to temporarily restrict the governor’s ability to grant pardons, commute sentences or issue reprieves around a gubernatorial election.

The proposed amendment would prohibit the governor from exercising those powers during a period beginning 60 days before the gubernatorial election and ending on the fifth Tuesday after the election.

The restriction would not apply to the governor’s power to remit fines and forfeitures, and the existing exception concerning impeachment would remain in place.

A “yes” vote would add the restriction to the Kentucky Constitution. A “no” vote would leave the current constitutional language unchanged.

The proposal, outlined in Senate Bill 10, was referred to voters by the Kentucky General Assembly. Voters can review the official amendment information from the Kentucky Secretary of State before casting their ballots.

More election coverage

Join Brennan Crain and Sam Terry for live election night coverage from Glasgow EPB, beginning around 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Watch live election returns, get updates on local races and follow results from across the region on YouTube at Glasgow EPB or on Facebook with Brennan Crain.

What to expect on the ballot

Finalized composite ballots are available for every county in Kentucky.

A composite ballot includes every possible race in the general election, so your actual ballot on Election Day may be shorter and more specific to where you live.

Some races, including city council and magistrate, are limited to specific geographic districts. Only voters registered in those districts are eligible to vote for the candidates running in those races.