2024 KANSAS VOTER GUIDE
1.Voter Registration
Deadline to Register/update: October 15, 2024
2. Check Your Registration
Why check your registration? Your address is where election officials send notices, application forms to receive your ballot in the mail, and more. Additionally, poll workers will check if the address on your voter registration matches the address on your ID at the polls.
Check Your Registration Online
Update Your Registration Online
Checklist:
- Is your name spelled correctly? (Correct hyphenations, middle initials, etc)
- Correct Address
- Active Voter Status (if not update by sending in another online/mail voter application)
- Correct Date of Birth
- Correct Political Party Preference
- Take a time-stamped photograph or screenshot of your registration, and take it with you to the polls as proof of your registration.
3. Voter ID Law
Source: Ballotpedia
Kansas requires voters to present photo identification (ID) while voting. Accepted forms of ID include driver’s licenses or state-issued nondriver’s identification cards, U.S. passports, and tribal identification cards. For a list of all accepted forms of ID, see below.
Registered voters without approved photo ID can obtain a free nondriver’s identification card from the Kansas Department of Revenue Division of Vehicles. To do so, voters must present proof of identity and proof of residence, as well as signing an affidavit requesting a fee waiver.
Advance voters who are applying to vote by mail must either write their driver’s license number on the application form or submit a copy of their ID, with certain exceptions.
Voters who do not have ID while voting may cast provisional ballots. See below for provisional ballot rules.
Kansas’ voter ID requirements are outlined in Section 25-2908 of state law. The law states, “A person desiring to vote shall provide to the election board: (1) The voter’s name; (2) if required, the voter’s address; (3) the voter’s signature on the registration or poll book; and (4) a valid form of identification listed in subsection (h).” To view the full text of the law, click here.
Forms of Acceptable IDs
Voters can present the following forms of identification:
- Driver’s license or nondriver’s identification card issued by Kansas or by another state or district of the United States
- Concealed carry of handgun license issued by Kansas or a concealed carry of handgun or weapon license issued by another state or district of the United States
- United States passport
- Employee badge or identification document issued by a municipal, county, state, or federal government office
- Military identification document issued by the United States
- Student identification card issued by an accredited postsecondary institution of education in the state of Kansas
- Public assistance identification card issued by a municipal, county, state, or federal government office
- Identification card issued by an Indian tribe
A photo ID does not need to have an expiration date, but, if it does have an expiration date, it must not have expired at the time of voting. If the voter is over the age of 65, he or she can use an expired ID.[2]
The following voters are exempt from providing photo ID:[2]
- Military and overseas citizens who vote under the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA)
- Voters who vote in mail ballot elections, which are limited to local jurisdictions holding special question-submitted elections
- Voters who are accepted to the permanent advance voting list
- Any voter who objects to having his or her photo taken because of his or her religious beliefs. The voter can complete and sign the Declaration of Religious Objection form.
Voters who do not have a photo ID can obtain one for free through the Division of Vehicles, Kansas Department of Revenue. The voter must provide proof of identity and proof of residence. The voter must also sign an affidavit. Voters can access the Certification Requesting Fee Waiver for Nondriver Identification Card form at all driver’s license offices, county election offices, and on the secretary of state’s website. If a voter does not have the proper documents to obtain a nondriver ID card, he or she can obtain a Kansas birth certificate from the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics for free. Voters can also apply for a free State Voter Identification Document. Voters should contact the election division of the secretary of state’s office at election@sos.ks.gov or (800) 262-VOTE to apply
Provisional ballot rules
Voters in Kansas are given provisional ballots, or ballots requiring additional steps or information before they can be counted, under the following circumstances.
(1) If the voter changes his or her name or address within the county and does not re-register to vote with the new information, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.
(2) If the voter’s U.S. citizenship, age, registration, residence, or criminal record is questioned, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.
(3) If the voter already voted during the election, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.
(4) If the voter does not provide photo identification, the voter has the right to cast a provisional ballot.
A provisional ballot is rejected if the voter fails to provide the necessary information requested by the election officer.
Those who voted by provisional ballot because they did not present required ID “may submit a valid photographic identification document by mail, in person, or by electronic means to the county election office in the county where the voter is registered to vote” before the board of canvassers convenes.
Was your provisional ballot counted?
Voters can contact their “Individuals may contact their county election officer to determine if their provisional ballot was counted and, if not, the reasoning,” according to VoteKansas.org.
4. Order Your Absentee Mail Ballot
Deadline for Advance Mail Ballot application: Must be received by October 29, 2024
We recommend requesting your advance mail ballot as soon as possible and well in advance of this deadline in order to ensure that you receive your ballot in time.
Filled out Mail ballots can be dropped off at the polling location until 7 pm on Election Day. Poll locations can be checked here: https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview
Deadline to return Absentee Mail Ballot: must be postmarked no later than close of polls on November 5, 2024
Surrendering Your Absentee Ballot:
Kansas does not have the Surrender Rule. If you bring your absentee ballot to surrender at the polling place on Election Day, they will still make you vote with a provisional ballot. If the voter registration book at your polling location has you listed in it as an “Advance Voter” and you do not have your ballot, you will be given a provisional ballot instead of a regular ballot.
Kansas voters should find and use their Advance ballots. Voters cannot “surrender” these ballots, but they can fill them out and drop them off at the polling location until 7 pm on Election Day.
Source: https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/elections/how-do-i-vote/#Provisional%20Voting
5. Early Voting Information
- In-person advance voting is available from October 16, 2024 to 12:00 pm on November 4, 2024.
- Voters are encouraged to contact their local election office to confirm advance voting dates and locations for their respective county. The Secretary of State’s office will also provide this information in October prior to the election.
- State law requires Kansas voters to show photographic identification when casting a vote in person, this includes voting advance in-person. If the voter does not provide identification or it is not valid, the voter will be issued a provisional ballot.
- For a list of acceptable forms of identification and other frequently asked questions visit:https://sos.ks.gov/elections/elections-faq.html
- For more information regarding federal, state and local elections contact the Kansas Secretary of State Elections Division by email election@ks.gov or phone 785.296.4561.
6. Become a Poll Worker!
- Become a poll worker!
- Poll workers must be 16 years old or over, and a registered voter (if 18 and over) in their county
- Sign up here: https://sos.ks.gov/elections/volunteer.html