Not sure when, where or how to vote in Kansas? Here’s your last-minute election guide
Kansans head to the polls Tuesday for the primary election, so it’s the perfect time to make a plan to vote.
Voters will see state and county offices on this year’s primary ballot. In the Wichita area, some Kansas Legislature seats are up for a vote, as is a Sedgwick County District Court seat and the Sedgwick County Commission. What you will vote on depends on where you live and your party affiliation.
If you’re unaffiliated, you can select what party to vote for in the primary. Voters registered with third parties will not be able to participate in the primary.
Here’s what you need to know about your voting options in Kansas, plus specifics about where and when to cast your ballot in the Wichita area.
When can I vote on Election Day?
All polling places in Kansas are required to be open at least 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, but some can begin welcoming voters as early as 6 a.m. or until 8 p.m.
In Sedgwick and Butler counties, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and in Harvey and Sumner counties, you can vote from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
As in all elections, if you’re in line when the polls close in the evening, you still have a right to vote, so stay in line until you’re able to cast a ballot.
How do I find my Kansas polling place?
You can find your assigned polling place through the secretary of state’s VoterView tool at myvoteinfo.voteks.org. By entering your full name and date of birth on the Kansas site, you can find your party affiliation, a sample ballot and more.
Keep in mind: Some polling locations may have changed, so it’s important to make sure you double check your polling location before heading out to vote on Election Day.
That’s already happened to some Wichitans this year: 4,300 voters were moved from Woodland United Methodist Church to North High School, and 4,100 voters will have to go to Linwood Recreation Center instead of Heart of Christ Church.
How can I learn about the candidates?
You can find information about the candidates for Sedgwick County District Court judge, Sedgwick County commissioner and the Legislature in our voter guides:
- Your primary voter guide to who is running for Sedgwick County Commission District 3
- Your voter guide to Wichita-area races in the Kansas Legislature
- Your primary voter guide to Republican candidates for Sedgwick County District Court judge
What ID do I need to vote in Kansas?
In Kansas, registered voters can use any government-issued photo ID. If you don’t have a valid photo ID based on Kansas state law, you will be given a provisional ballot and have to prove your identity later for your vote to count.
Photo IDs that will work at Kansas polling places include:
Driver’s license or photo ID card issued by any state
U.S. passport
Military ID
Student ID card from a Kansas institution
Concealed carry license
Public assistance ID card or employee ID issued by a government agency
Can I still vote early in Kansas?
The only early voting you can still do is to send in or drop off your mail ballot if you already have on. If you’re mailing it, Kansas requires ballots be postmarked on or before Election Day, and they have to make it to the election office by Friday. Most dropboxes are also available until 7 p.m. Tuesday.
If you requested a mail ballot but decided to vote in person instead, you’ll have to cast a provisional ballot at the polls, the secretary of state’s website says. It will only be counted once it’s been verified that you only voted one time.
Where can I drop off my mail ballot in the Wichita area?
If you got an absentee ballot via mail and are worried about it getting to the election board in time, you can drop it off at a dropbox in your county until 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Sedgwick County has 14 dropboxes across several area communities. You can see a map of all of them on the county’s website.
Butler’s County’s ballot dropbox is at the Historic Courthouse in El Dorado, 205 W. Central Ave.
You can take ballots to two dropboxes in Harvey County, one at the county courthouse, 800 N. Main, Newton, and one at a Newton fire station, 2520 S. Kansas Ave.
In Sumner County, you can take your ballot directly to the election office, 501 N. Washington Ave., Suite 101, Wellington.
How is Election Day weather in Wichita?
It’s sunny and hot outside, with a high of 94, so take precautions if you’re waiting outside for the polls.
How can I get results on election night?
Go to Kansas.com on Tuesday night to get the latest news on statewide and local races throughout the evening.
Who can I call about questions or issues?
If you have questions about voting in your county, you should contact your local election board:
- Sedgwick County Election Board: 316-660-7100, voterinformation@sedgwick.gov
- Butler County Election Office: 316-322-4229
- Harvey County Election Office: 316-284-6840, elections@harveycounty.com
- Sumner County Clerk’s Office: 620-326-3395, sucoclk@co.sumner.ks.us
If you see any problems at your polling place, send us a tip via our form at kansas.com/submit-news.
This story was originally published August 4, 2024 at 5:00 AM.