Kentucky voters have two weeks to prepare for the state's primary election May 19, with several voting deadlines fast approaching that will determine how voters can cast their ballots. According to the Kentucky Lantern, the online absentee ballot portal closes Tuesday, May 5, marking the final opportunity for voters seeking mail-in ballots with approved excuses to request them.

Voters who are absent from their county of residence, college students voting outside their home county, or those temporarily living out of state can submit absentee requests through the portal. To be counted, mail-in ballots must reach county clerks by 6 p.m. local time on Election Day, and the Kentucky State Board of Elections website lists drop-box locations throughout the state.

No-excuse early voting will run May 14 through 16, providing voters without specific reasons to cast ballots in person. Voters with state-approved excuses can participate in excused in-person voting from May 6 through May 13.

The primary will determine nominees for an open U.S. Senate seat, left vacant after Republican Mitch McConnell announced he would not seek re-election after representing Kentucky since 1984. The race has attracted 12 Republican candidates, 7 Democrats and 1 write-in candidate, making it one of the state's most competitive contests in decades.

Kentucky voters will also decide all six U.S. House seats on the May 19 primary ballot, along with state legislative contests and local races. The general election will follow on November 3 to decide all statewide federal and municipal offices.

Voters can check their registration status and locate polling places by visiting govote.ky.gov. Those needing assistance with the absentee ballot process can contact their county clerk's office. For voters unable to meet the portal deadline, medical emergency absentee ballots may be submitted within 14 days of the election.