First, the information for everyone. Kansas Republicans have been considering removing ballot drop boxes. There’s an idea that Democrats use them more, so of course they want them out of service. Keep on top of this with your representatives in Topeka, especially if you’re in a red district. Try reminding them that elderly voters use them, too, even the Republican ones.
There is another primary election in August, because of course there is, along with the general election in November. If you go to KSVotes.org, you can fill out a request for vote-by-mail ballots for both elections now. The August primary one just became available, so if you already requested the one for the general election, you might not have also filled out the form for the August primary. Note that it’s possible to apply for permanent vote-by-mail, but you might be turned down. However, anyone can request a ballot for any election, one at a time, for any reason. On the KSVotes page, there will be a form for each election ballot you requested. Go to the bottom of the page to fill in the signature block, with a finger if you have a touch screen or with your mouse if that’s what you use. You can clear the box and try again, until the signature is as similar to the one the election office has on file. When you accept your signature, it will auto-fill into each form, along with the date. Scroll to the bottom again and click “Submit.” That’s all. You don’t need a stamp or envelope. You don’t need to print out the form. Now, see below.
Kansas has to be different. We have a presidential primary in this state in March, just not on Super Tuesday. Ours is Tuesday, March 19. If you applied for a mail-in ballot, you should have it by now. I got mine on March 2, and I took it to the drop box at my library on March 5. In your county, you can find the drop boxes on an information sheet enclosed with your ballot.
New this year: The drop boxes will be locked at 5PM on election day. If you are returning your ballot by mail, it isn’t enough this year for you to have a postmark showing the date of the election. The ballot must physically be in the county office on election day. Don’t wait until the last day to mail yours in. The Elias Group is suing several states over this. I don’t know if they’re suing Kansas, but meanwhile, don’t take the chance with your vote.
If you didn’t ask for a mail-in ballot for this election, you can still vote early, but those places close at noon on Monday, March 18. But don’t hesitate to request a ballot for any future elections.
A final word, from the state where Kris Kobach is attorney general: Check your voter registration often. Every election. You never know when it’s you who will be purged.