Kansas Voting Guide

When is the Kansas voter registration deadline?

Your application must be postmarked or received no later than 21 days before Election Day.

How can I participate in advance voting in Kansas?

Kansas voters can apply for advance voting in person or at satellite polling places up to 20 days before an election day.

You should bring a photo ID to vote in person at the county election office or the satellite polling places. The county election officer may give you a provisional ballot if you do not provide an approved identification card. The officer will not consider your provisional ballot unless you submit a photo ID before canvassing.

Kansas voters can also do early voting by mail before election day. To do so, you should fill out an application for an advance ballot by mail. You should include a copy of your photo ID or driver’s license number in the application form.

Is there absentee voting in Kansas?

Absentee voting is permitted in Kansas. No excuse is required. You must request an absentee ballot at least seven days before an election. It can be returned either in person or through the mail, but it must be postmarked no later than the election date. If mailed, include either your driver's license number or a copy of a photo ID.

What do I need to bring to the polls in Kansas?

Kansas state law requires voters to provide a photo ID when voting in person. The photo ID should be valid at the time of voting. Some examples of acceptable forms of voter ID are as follows:

• U.S. passport
• Valid Kansas driver’s license
• ID card issued by Kansas or other states
• U.S. military ID
• ID issued by government office
• Employee badge
• Student ID card
• Public assistance ID card
• Concealed carry license

The state of Kansas issues exemptions from the photo ID requirements for the following voters:

• Military and overseas voters, along with their spouses and dependents
• Permanent advance voters or voters with illness or disabilities
• Voter with religious objections who signed a Declaration of Religious Objection
• Kansas voters age 65 and above may use an expired photo ID

What can I do if I do not have an approved government-issued ID?

If you are a registered voter who does not have an approved government-issued photo ID, the Kansas Division of Motor Vehicles can issue you a nondriver identification card. You must complete a Certification Requesting Fee Waiver for Nondriver Identification Card (Form DE-VID1). You can find this form at all DMV offices, county election offices, and online.

What special accommodations are available to Kansas voters?

State and federal law require the voting process to be accessible to all voters. Each voting location should provide ballot accessibility to all voters. For instance, the locations should have at least one fully accessible machine. This machine should allow voters with disabilities to vote without assistance.

Voters with disabilities may ask for assistance from their family member, friend, or companion. They can also ask for help from a poll worker at the voting location.

The polling place should likewise be accessible for voters with disability. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provided a checklist that the voting locations should follow. The location should have ramps, handrails, doorways, and voting booths that are wheelchair accessible.

In addition, five counties in Kansas supply language assistance to voters who are members of a language minority group: Ford, Finney, Grant, Haskell, and Seward.

You may visit the Kansas Secretary of State's website to learn detailed election information about advance voting.

What do I do if I see something illegal at the polls?

If you see or experience anything that seems illegal at the polls or have complaints about an election official, you should report it.

Notify the Kansas Secretary of State if you:

• Witness a crime such as voter fraud or intimidation
• Believe an election official broke the law or abused their discretion
• Experienced a violation of the Help America Vote Act

You can also contact an attorney experienced in voting laws if you feel your voting rights have been violated.

You Don’t Have To Solve This on Your Own – Seek Legal Advice

Meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your options and how to protect your voting rights best. Consider consulting with a civil rights law attorney if you feel your voting rights have been violated.