Wondering about absentee voting in KS or MO in the Aug. 2 election? Your questions, answered
We’ve heard from readers wondering about absentee voting, mail-in ballots, advance voting and more. Here are the answers to some of those questions. Do you have a question we didn’t answer here? Let us know at kcq@kcstar.com.
Reader Sydney of Johnson County asked: If I received a mail-in ballot in the past, do I have to request one for these elections?
Yes. Kansas voters need to apply for a mail-in ballot every time they want to vote by mail, even if they already did so in past elections. You can complete an application here and send it to your county voting office, listed on page 2. The deadline to apply for one in August’s primary is July 26.
The one exception to this rule is if you have a permanent illness or disability. In that case, you may be eligible for Kansas’ Permanent Advance Voting program, which you can apply for here. This program will automatically mail you a ballot for every election without making you re-apply.
How about in Missouri?
In Missouri, you must apply for an absentee ballot every time you wish to vote by mail, and many voters must have this ballot certified by a notary public before sending it in. The deadline to request one for August’s primary is July 20.
However, Missouri also has a Permanent Absentee Voting program that allows people with a permanent physical disability to vote by mail in every election. Contact your local election office for more information about this designation.
Another reader from Douglas County wanted to know about “mail-in ballots, when everything from registration to signing up for ballots is due.”
Here are some key registration and mail-in ballot deadlines for the state of Kansas:
Voter registration deadline: July 12
Advance voting starts: July 13 in Douglas County and some others, but this date can vary. Every county must offer early voting by July 26. Consult your local elections office for more information on early voting.
Absentee ballot request deadline: July 26
Advance voting ends: August 1 at 5 p.m.
Election Day: August 2
Mail-in ballots due to your local election office: August 5, postmarked on or before August 2
How about in Missouri?
Voter registration deadline: July 6
In-person absentee voting starts: Up to 6 weeks before election day, but can vary by county. Consult your local election office for more information on in-person absentee voting.
Absentee ballot request deadline: July 20
In-person absentee voting ends: August 1 at 5 p.m.
Election Day: August 2
Absentee ballots due to your local election office: August 2
For more information about absentee ballots, here’s our full guide.
Do you have more questions about the upcoming primary elections in Kansas and Missouri? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
