Kentucky Voting Leave Law (2026)

Whether Kentucky gives you time off to vote, how many hours, and whether that time is paid.

Unpaid leave required Verified Jul 6, 2026

Compiled and verified by David Scott · Verified Jul 6, 2026

Kentucky gives you at least four hours to vote or handle an absentee ballot. It is unpaid, you must apply before election day, and the employer may set the hours.

Voting leave in Kentucky

Time off required?

Yes

Paid?

Unpaid

How much time

At least 4 hours

Advance notice

Before election day

Good to know

Most voting-leave laws only apply when your work schedule does not already leave you enough time to vote, often two or three consecutive non-working hours while the polls are open. Where leave is required, the employer can usually decide whether you take it at the start or end of your shift. Early voting and mail-in ballots can change what applies to you. This is general information, not legal advice.

Common questions

Kentucky voting leave FAQ

Does Kentucky give you time off to vote?

Yes. Kentucky gives you at least four hours to vote or handle an absentee ballot. It is unpaid, you must apply before election day, and the employer may set the hours.

Is voting leave paid in Kentucky?

Kentucky requires the time off, but it can be unpaid.

Do I have to tell my employer in advance?

In Kentucky, the notice rule is: Before election day. Check the statute for the exact wording.

Where can I confirm the official rule?

The governing law is Ky. Rev. Stat. § 118.035. You can find your state election office through Vote.gov, linked on this page.

David Scott

David Scott compiles and verifies minimum wage rates, tipped wages, and overtime rules from official state and federal labor department sources, and re-checks every page when rates change. See how the data is sourced.