Quick rules + templates for Kentucky campaigns
Kentucky’s 2026 election cycle starts early: the statewide primary is scheduled for May 19, with the general election on November 3, and the filing window running from early November 2025 into January
2026. If you’re planning a run, having your yard sign plan in place before that window opens puts you ahead of everyone scrambling for designs later. Lock in a clean, readable layout now so you can focus on fundraising and courthouse, school board,
or county races once filing opens.
Below are simple Kentucky-ready primary yard sign template ideas you can plug your name into and hand off to our design team.
Always double-check your state and local sign rules before printing, but these layouts work for everything from city council and fiscal court to school board, sheriff, and legislative races across Kentucky.
Quick Kentucky sign rules (not legal advice)
- Primary timing: Statewide primary on May 19, 2026; general election on November 3, 2026.
- No signs on state highway right-of-way: The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet repeatedly reminds campaigns that no signage is allowed on the right-of-way of Interstates, Parkways, U.S. routes, or KY routes except official
highway signs and permitted items. Illegally placed signs can be removed without notice and trashed or recycled.
- Private property and HOAs: Kentucky law recognizes the right to display political yard signs, but property restrictions, leases, and HOA rules can still set reasonable limits on size, number, and timing. Always get
the
owner's permission and review any HOA or landlord rules before covering a subdivision.
- 100-foot buffer at polls: KRS 117.235 says no one may electioneer within 100 feet of any entrance to a building where voting is conducted on Election Day or during in-person absentee voting. Campaign signs inside
that 100-foot zone can be treated as electioneering.
Sources (official)
Kentucky primary yard sign templates you can steal:
Template 1 – Challenger, Short and Strong
Top: ELECT
Middle: FIRST + LAST NAME
Bottom: OFFICE and one short value: NEW VOICE • LOCAL FOCUS
Best for newcomers in crowded Kentucky primaries who want to feel fresh without cluttering the sign.
Template 2 – Incumbent Re-Elect Layout
Top: RE-ELECT
Middle: LAST NAME (big, bold)
Bottom: OFFICE (for example, CITY COUNCIL • DISTRICT 3, FISCAL COURT, or SHERIFF)
Great if you’re already in office and want simple name + office reinforcement on commuter routes and neighborhood corners.
Template 3 – Down-Ballot & Local
Top: VOTE MAY 19
Middle: LAST NAME
Bottom: SCHOOL BOARD, JUDGE, or CLERK
Perfect for local and judicial races where the office matters more than party label and voters mainly remember your name.
Why we print these on SmartFlute® yard signs:
SmartFlute® is UZ Marketing’s patented yard sign board with light-blocking channels, so double-sided designs don’t ghost through in Kentucky sun or under parking lot lights.
Eco-friendly: made from recycled material, so you can talk about sustainability while your signs work along highways, county roads, and neighborhood streets.
At UZ Marketing, we print SmartFlute® yard signs starting at $2.99 each (100 signs, 1-color) with double-sided printing, H-stakes included, free shipping, fast turnaround with rush options available
at checkout, and a 14-day Price Match Guarantee as long as all specs align.
Watch out for “too good to be true” pricing on other sites. Many super-cheap offers are for smaller half-sized signs with single-sided printing, thin material, and no stakes or
shipping included. Our $2.99 each (100) pricing is for full-size 18" x 24" SmartFlute® yard signs, so you know exactly what you’re getting.
Start your Kentucky design here: campaign yard signs and request a free design proof using these templates before you print.
FAQ – Kentucky primary yard signs
1. When is the 2026 Kentucky primary, and when should I start putting yard signs out?
Kentucky’s 2026 primary election is on May 19, 2026, with the general election on November 3, 2026. Many campaigns roll out their main wave of yard signs
in the weeks leading up to the primary, focusing on private property where they have permission and holding some inventory in reserve for late push phases and any tight races.
2. Where should I place Kentucky campaign yard signs?
The safest option is private property with the owner’s permission—supporters’ yards, friendly businesses, and campaign headquarters. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet says no signs are allowed on the right-of-way of Interstates, Parkways,
U.S. routes, or KY routes except official highway signs and permitted items, and signs in those right-of-way areas can be removed without notice. Campaigns should avoid medians, ditches, and shoulders, never attach signs to utility poles or traffic
devices, and always check city or county ordinances before placing signs close to the street.
3. How close can Kentucky campaign signs be to a polling place?
Under KRS 117.235, no one may electioneer within 100 feet of any entrance to a building where voting is conducted on Election Day or during in-person
absentee voting. That includes campaigning and visible campaign materials. In practice, campaigns keep yard signs outside the 100-foot zone (or wherever local officials mark the boundary) and follow
any extra instructions from county clerks and poll workers.
4. Do Kentucky campaign yard signs need a “paid for by” disclaimer?
Kentucky has attribution/disclaimer requirements for certain political communications, and federal rules require disclaimers on many public communications for federal committees/races. Many campaigns include a simple “Paid for by…” footer
on yard signs as a practical default and confirm the exact requirements for their committee and race before printing. Because compliance can vary by office and committee type, campaigns should confirm details with the Kentucky State Board of Elections / Secretary of State or legal/compliance counsel and follow FEC disclaimer guidance for federal races.
