Voting in Kansas
WHY VOTE?
Think about the things that affect your life, like the following:
- health care
- employment
- public safety
- immigration
- climate change
- public schools and colleges
The leaders you elect make decisions that affect you and the issues you care about. Voting is your chance to choose the decision makers and tell them what you want. Democracy is not a spectator sport. Your vote matters!
Learn more at LWVUS.
How to Register to Vote and/or Update Your Voter Registration
You can register to vote online at ksvotes.org or visit your County Election Office. You can also call your Election Office and they will send you a voter registration form to mail in. If you have moved or changed your name, you need to update your registration. You can also print out the Federal Voter Registration Application (pictured below) and mail it in to your local election office.
Verify your voter registration
Kansas residents should verify their status by checking the database at ksvotes.org. If your name is not on the roll, please contact your local election office.
Cast your vote
Evaluate the candidates. How do you go about comparing and judging the candidates? It is possible to move beyond a candidate’s image to the substance of a campaign. This seven step guide is designed to help you judge a candidate. You can also consult VOTE411.org for information on all races in Kansas. VOTE411.org is a free website provided by the League of Women Voters of Kansas.
Decide when and how you will cast your ballot. Making a plan helps you identify scheduling or logistical problems in advance and gives you time to work around barriers to get to the polls.
- I want to vote in advance.
I want to vote by mail. If you prefer to vote in your home or if you will be unable to vote on election day, you may request that a ballot be sent to your home by completing this advance ballot application. You can also request an advance ballot here. Find the details on your county election website.
The Application for Advance Ballot can be received by your County Election Office up to 90 days, but no less than a week, before an election. Unless you are disabled, you need to provide this form for every election.
2017 Legislative changes in the mailed ballot allow you to submit this ballot to your County Election Office or your polling place on election day. You can also have it counted if your ballot is postmarked by election day, and received in the County Election Office by the Friday after the election.
I want to vote in person. In all counties, you may vote in person at a special location before election day. The dates for in-person advance voting vary by county so go to your county election website to read the details.
- I want to vote on election day.
Most people vote in person on election day. All polling locations are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For a Primary Election, unaffiliated voters can affiliate with either the Democratic or Republican party at any time, including at the polling location.
Know where your polling place is located. You must vote at the polling place designated for your address and this location may change with each election. Always check your polling location before going to the polls.
See a sample ballot. You may be able to see a sample ballot before voting. Check your county election website to see if this option is available.
Take your photo ID. In Kansas, you must show a government-issued photo ID at the polls.
Only certain forms of photos ID are accepted at the polls. These are the original acceptable photo IDs mentioned in the law but more IDs have now been deemed acceptable. Here are photo examples of some of the acceptable IDs.
If you forget your ID, you can vote a provisional ballot. But you must then show your photo ID at the election office before the county canvass.
Call the League of Women Voters of Kansas office, 785-234-5152, for help in getting a necessary ID required to vote in Kansas under current law. All IDs must have first and last name and photo. Any voter over 65 years of age can use an expired ID. IDs do NOT have to have the voters’ current address.
If there are any problems, vote a provisional ballot. If, for any reason, there are questions about your voting qualifications, you can vote a provisional ballot. You will be told if you need to take further action before the county canvas. You will also be given a phone number to call to check if your vote was counted. Read more about casting provisional ballots.
Have additional questions?
If you have additional questions,
FAQ
What if I don’t have an acceptable photo ID?
You can obtain a free non-driver photo ID. Complete this non-driver ID form and submit it along with proof of identity and proof of residence to the Kansas Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicles.
My current address does not match my photo ID. Is that a problem?
No. Your photo ID is simply used for face identification and matching your name.
You should update your voter registration if you move. You can use this registration form or online registration. If you try to vote without updating your registration with your new address, you will be asked to vote a provisional (paper) ballot at your new polling place.
My name doesn’t match my photo ID. Is that a problem?
Yes. Your photo ID is used to verify your face and name. If you have had a name change, you must update your voter ID before voting. Your photo ID may be accepted if your first name is a variation of your voter registration name (i.e. “Bill” instead of “William”). However if it is substantially different, or if your last name is changed, you will be offered a provisional ballot. When the county election official does the election canvass, your vote will not be counted if they cannot verify that you were registered under your current name.
I recently moved. Do I vote in my new polling place or my old one?
If you have moved within 30 days of the election, you can vote at your old voting place with a regular ballot. If you have moved within the same county, even if is longer than 30 days, you may also vote at your new polling place with a provisional ballot. When you vote at the wrong polling place, the only votes that will be counted are the ones common to both ballots.