The Livingston County Clerk's Office administers all elections for voters here, operating from 300 Court Square, Smithland, KY 42081. Residents can reach the office at (270) 928-2162 during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. As the official election authority, the Livingston County Clerk manages voter registration, maintains accurate voter rolls, handles absentee ballot requests, certifies candidates, and coordinates polling locations throughout Livingston County.
Statewide election information and results are available through the Kentucky State Board of Elections at elect.ky.gov. Kentucky residents can register to vote online at govoteky.com, provided they have a valid Kentucky driver's license or ID card issued by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. The registration deadline is 29 days before any election. To be eligible, applicants must be U.S. Citizens, Kentucky residents, at least 18 years old by the next general election, and not currently serving time for a felony conviction. Those who have moved within the state or changed their name need to update their registration. The online system confirms registration status immediately, while anyone without a state-issued ID can register by mail or in person at the Livingston County Clerk's office using a paper form. As an unincorporated community, there are no municipal elections for mayor or city council here. Residents participate in county-level, state, and federal elections instead. Livingston County voters elect the County Judge/Executive, County Clerk, County Sheriff, Jailer, County Attorney, Coroner, Magistrates representing county districts, and the Property Valuation Administrator. These county offices appear on the ballot during Kentucky's regular election cycle, with most positions elected in odd-numbered years like 2025 and 2027 to four-year terms. Finding your polling place is straightforward using the Kentucky State Board of Elections website at elect.ky.gov/Resources/Pages/Polling-Locations.aspx, which requires entering your street address. Alternatively, calling the Livingston County Clerk at (270) 928-2162 will get you the same information. Polling locations are typically schools, community centers, or other public buildings. Kentucky polls open at 6:00 AM and close at 6:00 PM local time on Election Day. Voters must present valid identification such as a Kentucky driver's license, U.S. Passport, military ID, or other government-issued photo ID. Election records are public documents under the Open Records Act. Voter registration lists can be purchased by candidates and political organizations for legitimate campaign purposes, though commercial solicitation is prohibited. Campaign finance reports for county and state office seekers are filed with the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance and searchable online at kref.ky.gov. Candidate filings, including declarations of candidacy and nomination papers, are kept by the Livingston County Clerk for county offices and by the Secretary of State for state and federal positions. Precinct-level results become public once the Livingston County Clerk certifies them, and statewide results appear on the State Board of Elections website. During the November 2024 presidential election, Livingston County recorded approximately 68% voter turnout among registered voters. The county strongly favored Republican candidates, consistent with western Kentucky's political tendencies. Total votes cast in the presidential race exceeded 4,200 ballots, with detailed precinct results available through the Livingston County Clerk and the State Board of Elections. The November 3, 2026 general election will bring important races for local voters. Kentucky will not have a U.S. Senate contest that year, as Senator Mitch McConnell's term runs through 2026 (elected 2020) and Senator Rand Paul's term continues through 2028 (elected 2022). However, all six of Kentucky's U.S. House seats will be contested, with residents here voting in Kentucky's 1st Congressional District, currently represented by Republican James Comer. At the state level, 2026 is not a gubernatorial election year in Kentucky (the Governor serves a four-year term with the next election in 2027), but half of the Kentucky State Senate (even-numbered districts) and all 100 seats in the Kentucky House of Representatives will be on the ballot. Livingston County voters will elect their State Representative for District 3 and State Senator for District 1. County-level special elections or local referenda may also appear depending on issues that arise. Voters should check with the Livingston County Clerk in summer 2026 for a complete sample ballot. Kentucky offers absentee voting for qualified voters. Valid excuses include being age 65 or older, illness or disability, being a student outside the county, military service or dependent status, incarceration while still eligible to vote, working all polling hours on Election Day, or expecting to be outside the county on Election Day. Absentee ballot applications are available through the Livingston County Clerk's office or online at the State Board of Elections website. The application deadline is seven days before the election for mail ballots. All absentee ballots must be requested from and returned to the Livingston County Clerk's Office at 300 Court Square, Smithland, KY 42081. In-person absentee voting (early voting) takes place at the Livingston County Clerk's office beginning the Thursday before Election Day through the Monday before Election Day, during expanded hours. Kentucky also permits medical emergency absentee voting up until Election Day for voters experiencing a medical emergency after the regular absentee deadline. All absentee ballots must be received by the Livingston County Clerk by 6:00 PM on Election Day to be counted.