Voter’s guide: things to know before the Primary Election

Kansas voters go to the polls Tuesday, August 4, to vote on a constitutional amendment and several primaries. Here’s what to know.

By Jessica Pearce/The Journal

Kansas voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 4 for a consequential primary election: More than 1,800 positions are on the ballot statewide, including primaries for governor, secretary of state, attorney general and the U.S. Senate, along with a proposed constitutional amendment to turn Supreme Court vacancies into elected positions.

With so much on the line, it’s important to know before heading to the polls when, where and how to vote. To help, The Journal has compiled a list of common questions from Kansas voters and county election officials.

Before you vote

Who is eligible to vote in Kansas?

Any U.S. citizen who is at least 18 years old and a Kansas resident is eligible to vote. Individuals convicted of a felony may vote once they have completed the terms of their sentence.

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

No. Kansas does not offer day-of registration — voter rolls close 21 days before an election.

How do I check my registration information?

Voters can visit VoterView to:

• Confirm their registration status.
• Verify their address.
• Check their party affiliation.
• Find their polling place.

What if I’ve moved or changed my name recently?

Voters who have changed their name, address or party affiliation must update their voter registration. 

Those who missed the deadline to update information can still vote by going to the polling place assigned to their old address if they moved within 30 days of the election or completing a provisional ballot, depending on their circumstances.

What is a provisional ballot, and when is one used?

A provisional ballot allows voters to cast a ballot even if there’s a question about their eligibility that must be resolved before it can be counted. A voter may receive a provisional ballot if they:

• Recently changed their name or address.
• Requested a mailed ballot but chose to vote in person.
• Cannot provide a photo ID.
• Have missing or incorrect registration information.
• Voted at the wrong polling place.

Rice County Clerk Raechel Manley said voters shouldn’t panic if they encounter an issue with registration or are issued a provisional ballot.

“The No. 1 thing to make sure all voters understand is that we will never turn anyone away from voting,” she said. “Everyone will have an opportunity to vote no matter the circumstance.”

Depending on the issue, election officials may ask voters to submit additional documentation, such as proof of residence or a valid ID, before their ballot is counted.

How do party affiliations work in Kansas primary elections?

Registered Democrats and Republicans receive their party’s primary ballot. Voters may only vote in their party’s primary. They cannot mix candidates from different parties on the same ballot. This also applies to members of Kansas’ minor parties, including the Libertarian Party and United Kansas Party. Because these parties typically do not have primaries, members of minor parties will only vote on non-partisan ballots. Voters who wish to change their party affiliation before a primary election must have done so by June 1.

Unaffiliated voters may choose to affiliate with a party at their polling place and vote in that party’s primary or remain unaffiliated. Unaffiliated voters selecting a party at the polls will complete a registration form at the polling location identifying them as a member of their selected party. Voters who affiliate with a party at the polls may change back to unaffiliated beginning Sept. 1 by completing a new registration.

Where can I find my sample ballot?

Sample ballots are available at kansasvoterinfo.gov.

How can I stay informed about local voting rules?

In larger counties, check the county’s election board website or social media pages for the latest information about polling locations, drop boxes, local procedures and primary day updates. In smaller counties, election information can usually be found on either the county clerk’s web page or a separate county elections page.

Voting in person

How do I vote in person?

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters in line by 7 p.m. may still cast a ballot.

All voters must present a government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include:

• Kansas or out-of-state driver’s license.
• U.S. passport.
• Kansas or out-of-state nondriver ID (Kansas offers free cards at driver’s license offices, county election offices and online).
• Government employee ID.
• Student ID from a Kansas postsecondary institution.
• Concealed carry license.
• Public assistance ID.
• ID issued by a tribal nation.

Individuals who are 65 or older may use an expired ID. Individuals whose religious beliefs prohibit being photographed may vote after signing an affidavit. 

What if I make a mistake on my ballot?

If voting in person, voters may request a replacement ballot. Kansas law allows voters to receive up to two replacement ballots.

What can I take into the voting booth?

Voters can take notes, voter guides or sample ballots into the voting booth. 

Some counties restrict cell phone use, so check local rules or use paper notes.

What accommodations are available for voters?

All polling locations must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide at least one accessible voting machine with features such as audio ballots, large-print displays and alternative input controls.

Voters who need assistance may receive help from a family member, companion or poll worker.

Many counties recruit bilingual poll workers. This election cycle, five Kansas counties (Finney, Ford, Grant, Haskell and Seward) are required to provide bilingual voting assistance and translated election materials because of their significant population with limited English proficiency.

Can I take a ballot selfie?

Kansas law does not prohibit ballot selfies, but county election officials may limit photography or cell phone use inside voting locations. If unsure, voters can ask a poll worker or stick to taking a photo with their “I Voted” sticker outside the polling location.

Voting by mail

How do I return my advance ballot?

Voters must return their ballot in the envelope they received with their ballot. For their vote to be counted, voters must complete and sign the form on the ballot envelope. Voters may ask another person to return their ballot for them, but that person must sign the return envelope in the designated location. 

Advance ballots must be

• Postmarked by Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. and mailed back to your county election office,*
• Returned to designated ballot drop boxes by 7 p.m. on Aug. 4

or

• Delivered to any polling place within the county by 7 p.m. on Aug. 4.

Dropbox locations can be found online.

*The Kansas Legislature required advance ballots to be received by 7 p.m. on the day of the election. However, a Kansas Court of Appeals ruling permits ballots postmarked by Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. and received by Aug. 7 at 5 p.m. to be counted. The Secretary of State website noted, “regardless of the decision, voters are urged to return their ballots by the close of polls on Election Day. Doing so will ensure that their ballots will be counted.”

What if there is a problem with my advance ballot?

If a ballot is lost, damaged or spoiled, voters may vote in person instead. Voters who initially requested a mailed ballot but choose to vote in person may also do so. Voters are encouraged to bring in their mailed ballot or may be asked to complete a provisional ballot.

How do I know whether my advance ballot has been received?

Voters can track the status of their ballot through kansasvoterinfo.gov or by contacting their local election office.

Final tips

Election officials say the most important thing voters can do is prepare ahead of time and ask for help if something goes wrong. Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater encouraged voters to check their information and remember their photo ID before heading to the polls.

“Election workers are trained to help voters determine the next step,” Rainwater said. “If a voter arrives at a polling place and there is an issue … they should not leave without asking for assistance.”

Jessica Pearce is a Report for America corps member and covers civics in Kansas for The Journal.