Kansas
Welcome to the Kansas state page! Here, Kansas organizers can access and document ongoing projects, current leadership positions, upcoming races, and other important information. This list is non-exhaustive, and state teams are encouraged to expand and adapt these pages to their organizing needs.
Eligibility
To be eligible to vote you must be:
- A United States citizen
- 18 years of age or older (you may register to vote when you are 17 years old, however, you may not vote in any election until you're 18 years old)
- A Kansas resident
Incarcerated Voters & Returning Citizens:
In Kansas, a felony conviction results in the loss of voting rights until the terms of the felony sentence is complete. Your right to vote is restored immediately after you are released from prison and have completed any court-ordered supervision, probation, or parole. The voter registration form includes an affidavit above the signature line attesting that an individual’s right to vote has been restored. Pretrial detention and misdemeanor convictions do not restrict your voting rights.
Voters without traditional residence:
It is not mandatory for citizens to possess a "permanent home" for voter registration. A citizen can provide an alternative description of their residence, even if they are experiencing homelessness, as long as it enables the authorities to identify and assign a voting precinct to them. This precinct assignment ensures that the voter receives the appropriate ballot. The mailing address on their registration form can be a PO box, local shelter, advocacy organization, outreach center, or the home of someone who will accept mail for them.
ID Requirements
State law requires Kansas voters to show photographic identification when casting a vote in person. The following documents may be used to meet photo ID requirements for voting:
- Driver’s license or ID card issued by Kansas or another state
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Military ID
- ID card issued by a Native American tribe
- Employee badge or ID issued by a government office
- Student ID card from an accredited postsecondary education institution in Kansas
- Concealed carry license issued by Kansas or another state
- Public assistance ID card issued by a government office
Exemptions from photo ID requirements exist for: permanent advance voters (voters with illness or disabilities); military and overseas voters and their spouses and dependents; and voter with religious objections who sign a Declaration of Religious Objection (Form DRO (Español)). Voters age 65 or older may use an expired photo ID.
In Kansas, the primary election is held on the first Tuesday in August of even numbered years for Democratic and Republican candidates. The general election is the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. Pursuant to state law, municipal elections are held at the same time in odd numbered years. Please note, most municipal jurisdictions do not have primary elections as the rules for conducting a primary election are different for municipalities. Minor party candidates do not participate in the primary and are, instead, nominated at state party conventions. Independent candidates file by petition.
State law requires polling places to open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m. on election day. State law allow counties to open polling locations as early as 6:00 a.m. and close as late as 8:00 p.m. Pursuant to K.S.A. 25-106 polling locations must be open for at least 12 consecutive hours. Please verify the operating hours in your county with your local election officer.
Early Voting
Kansas allows voters to advance vote in person at county election offices or satellite voting locations up to 20 days before an election.
Vote by Mail
Voters are allowed to vote by mail prior to election day in the state of Kansas. In order to do so, you must complete an application for an advance ballot and include your driver’s license number or a copy of your photo identification. The deadline to submit advance voting applications to your county election official is July 30 for the 2024 primary election and October 29 for the 2024 general election. Ballots will be mailed to those who apply beginning July 17 for the 2024 primary election and October 16 for the 2024 general election. All ballots MUST be postmarked on or before election day and received in the county election office by the close of business on the third business day following the election.