At this point, do not return the ballot through the U.S. Postal Service. It is simply too close to election day for that ballot to reliably arrive and be counted.

A voter may return the completed ballot, sealed inside the completed and signed return envelope, by:

● Delivering it to the county election office

● Depositing it in any official ballot drop box located within the voter’s county

● Taking it to any polling place within the voter’s county before the polls close.

Official drop boxes are locked at the close of polls on Election Day.

Voters who have requested a mail-in ballot are not barred from going to the polls on election day, but know the following:

● If the voter still has the completed advance ballot, the voter may return the sealed and signed envelope to any polling place within the voter’s county before the polls close.

● If the voter wants to vote at the polling place instead, the voter should go to the precinct polling place where the voter resides and will vote a provisional ballot.

● If the voter brings an incomplete advance ballot to the polling place, a judge or clerk may accept it and void it before the provisional ballot is cast.

● The provisional ballot is counted only if the county board of canvassers determines that it was properly cast and that the voter did not otherwise vote in the election. If the returned advance ballot was already accepted, the provisional ballot will not also be counted.

[K.S.A. 25-2908(f)]

Kansas counties offer in-person advance voting at the county election office and may also use satellite locations. Dates, hours, and locations vary by county. Voters casting an advance ballot in person must provide an acceptable photo ID. [K.S.A. 25-1122]We combine a thoughtful, human-centered approach with clear communication and reliable results. It’s not just what we do—it’s how we do it that sets us apart.

Mistakes on the Ballot

If a voter makes a mistake while marking an advance ballot, the voter should stop and contact the county election office rather than trying to alter the ballot in a way that conflicts with its instructions. A destroyed, spoiled, lost, or unreceived advance ballot may be replaced with a provisional replacement advance ballot. Voters may obtain up to two replacement ballots for mismarked or spoiled ballots. [K.S.A. 25-1122f]

Missing or Mismatched Signatures

An advance ballot return envelope must be signed. An unsigned envelope cannot be opened, and the ballot cannot be counted unless the deficiency is corrected through the county’s cure process. [K.S.A. 25-1136(b)] The county election officer must attempt to contact each voter whose envelope has no signature or whose signature does not match the signature on file and must provide an opportunity to correct the problem before the final county canvass begins. A voter who learns of a signature problem should contact the county election office immediately and follow its instructions; the canvass date,You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.

Kansas requires photo ID for all in-person voting, including in-person advance voting. [K.S.A.25-2908(b)(4)]

An ID is valid if it shows the voter's name and photograph and has not expired:

● Driver's license issued by Kansas or another U.S. state/district

● State ID card issued by Kansas or another U.S. state/district

● Concealed carry handgun license

● U.S. passport

● Employee badge issued by a municipal, county, state, or federal office or agency

● U.S. military ID document

● Student ID card from an accredited postsecondary institution in Kansas

● Public assistance ID card from a municipal, county, state, or federal office or agency

● ID card issued by an Indian tribe

Important Details

● Age 65+ may use an expired ID. [K.S.A. 25-2908(h)(1)]

● Out-of-state driver's licenses and state IDs are acceptable.

● Student IDs must be from a Kansas institution.

● The ID does not have to show a current address. The requirement only concerns name and photo.

A voter gets a provisional ballot instead of being turned away when:

● They cannot or will not provide valid ID [K.S.A. 25-2908(d), (h)(2)]

● Their name/address doesn't match the registration or poll book [25-2908(d)]

● Their name isn't in the registration books at all (poll worker writes the name in, voter signs, and the judge challenges the vote under K.S.A. 25-414) [25-2908(e)]

● They received an advance ballot but also show up to vote in person. They may surrender the advance ballot to a judge or clerk, who voids it; the provisional ballot counts only if the canvassers find it properly cast and that the voter did not otherwise vote. [25-2908(f)]

● They voted after normal poll hours pursuant to a court order — provisional only in that circumstance [K.S.A. 25-414(c)]

● They are a voter with a disability [K.S.A. 25-2909(c)]

How to Cure a Provisional Ballot

For an ID problem, the voter must get a valid ID to the county election officer in person, by mail, or by electronic means before the county board of canvassers meets. [K.S.A. 25-2908(d)].

The canvassers then review the IDs alongside the corresponding ballots and count the ballot if the ID is valid and the ballot was properly cast. The judges must give the voter written information on how to find out whether the provisional ballot was counted and, if not, why.

[K.S.A. 25-409(b)]

Since the canvass can be moved as late as 13 days out, the cure window varies by county.

Polls must be open at least 12 consecutive hours and for all counties in Kansas this election (to our best awareness) that time is 7am to 7pm local time. [K.S.A. 25-106]

Voters in line when polls close may vote. Encourage voters to stay in line.

Assistance in Voting

● Any voter may request assistance if they are unable to mark their own ballot due to temporary illness, disability, lack of proficiency in English, or if they are age 65 or older (no other qualification needed). [25-2909(a)]

● The voter is accompanied to the booth by a person of the voter's own choosing; if the voter chooses no one, by two election board members of different political parties, who mark the ballot as directed. [25-2909(b)]

● Assistance is recorded in the poll book, along with the names of the assistants. [K.S.A. 25-2911]

● Election board members must also provide the signature on behalf of a voter unable to sign due to temporary illness, disability, or lack of English proficiency. [K.S.A. 25-2908(c)(3)]

● Restriction voters ask about: county materials commonly advise that the person assisting must not be an agent of a political campaign, the voter's employer or employer's agent, or an officer/agent of the voter's union. [52 U.S.C. § 10508]

Accessibility

● A voter with a disability may request that a ballot be brought to the entrance of the polling place, or to a location outside within 250 feet of the entrance. Two election board members of different parties take the ballot out and remain with the voter while they vote.

On paper-ballot systems the board members deposit the ballot. Where machines are used the voter votes on an electronic machine or an advance ballot.

● All polling places must be accessible by permanent or temporary means to voters with disabilities on any election day. [K.S.A. 25-2710]

○ Standards include ramps, handrails, wheelchair-accessible booths, and wheelchair-friendly doorways.

● Each polling place must have at least one fully accessible HAVA-compliant machine allowing independent voting. (SOS Voting Accessibility Guide)

● Language assistance is required in five Kansas counties. Finney, Ford, Grant, Haskell, and Seward. (SOS Voting Accessibility Guide)

Replacement ballots

A voter may obtain up to two replacement ballots if a ballot is mismarked or spoiled.

Party Affiliation

Unaffiliated voters may declare a party affiliation at the polls on primary day. A judge at the precinct polling place (or the county election officer or designee) provides the primary ballot of that party. The signed statement constitutes a declaration of affiliation and is recorded on the party affiliation list. [K.S.A. 25-3301(c)]

Already affiliated voters may NOT change affiliation at the polls. The deadline to switch was June 1, 2026.

No party declaration is needed to vote on ballot questions. All registered voters, including unaffiliated voters, may vote on the constitutional amendment and local ballot questions.

Electioneering is knowingly attempting to persuade or influence eligible voters for or against a candidate, party, or ballot question, including wearing, exhibiting, or distributing labels, signs, posters, stickers, or other materials that clearly identify a candidate or clearly indicate support or opposition to a ballot question.

This applies to inside and up to 250 feet from the entrance of any polling place on Election Day any advance voting site during the period allowed for advance voting.

Vehicles used to transport voters to a polling place or advance voting site for the purpose of voting are not electioneering. [K.S.A. 25-2430(a)(2)]

Voter intimidation or coercion through disorderly conduct is prohibited. Report to the KDP and your county election office.

Authorized poll agents may observe the casting of ballots, canvasses, recounts, and audits.

Your county party chair may appoint one poll agent to each polling place. [K.S.A. 25-3005]

Guidance: https://sos.ks.gov/Pubs/Elections/Guides/Poll-Agent-Guide.pdf

Poll Agent Form (must produce at location when asked):

https://www.sos.ks.gov/forms/elections/PA.pdf

Poll Agents must also be provided a badge with “Observer” in at least 32pt font to wear while observing the election.