How to Run for Office in Kentucky
Getting on the Ballot
Kentucky's defining feature is its early-January filing deadline: for a May primary, partisan candidates must file by the first Friday after the first Monday in January of the election year. Candidates for federal, statewide, legislative, judicial, and multi-county offices file with the Secretary of State (whose online tool generates the correct forms); candidates for county, city, and single-county offices file with the county clerk. Filing fees are modest.
Before raising or spending any money, candidates register with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance (KREF) by e-filing the KREF 001 through kref.ky.gov - a recent reform ended the old requirement to attach a paper copy to your ballot filing; the filing officers now notify KREF automatically.
Kentucky elects its governor and constitutional officers in odd-numbered years, so statewide campaigns run on their own cycle.
Where Local Candidates File
The county clerk is the filing officer for county and city offices and the local elections authority. Campaign finance is exclusively KREF's domain - election finance statements are filed only with the Registry (the old county-clerk copies are gone), through its electronic system, with courtesy email reminders before each due date.
Worth Knowing
- Decide by the holidays: a Kentucky campaign for a May primary must be organized before New Year's - the January deadline surprises more would-be candidates than any other rule.
- Register with KREF before the first dollar - the KREF 001 is the gate for fundraising, separate from ballot access.
- Ballot positions are drawn by lot after filing closes.
Official Kentucky Resources
Filing deadlines, fees, and signature requirements change from cycle to cycle. Always confirm current details with the official sources below.
This page was last reviewed on August 4, 2026. Process details above are believed current as of that date; deadlines and fees should always be verified with your election office.