Kansas Absentee Voter Guide

Military and overseas voters should check out the Overseas Vote Foundation.  Long Distance Voter's forms and deadlines should only be used by voters with US mailing addresses.

Mail-in Deadlines

General Election: Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Voter Registration

To register to vote in Kansas you must:

• be a citizen of the United States
• be a resident of Kansas
• be 18 by the next election
• have completed the terms of your sentence if convicted of a felony; a person serving a sentence for a felony conviction is ineligible to vote
• not claim the right to vote in any other location or under any other name
• not be excluded from voting for mental incompetence by a court of competent jurisdiction

How to register to vote:

Recommended: Use our Voter Registration Widget.  Enter your information, print and sign the completed form, and mail it to the address printed on the form.  

You can also download the Kansas Voter Registration Form, complete it, and send it to your County Election Officer.  The addresses are also included on the form.

ID requirements for first-time voters:

You must put your current Kansas driver's license number or non-driver's identification number on your voter registration form.  If you do not have either num,ber, enter the last four digits of your social security number.  If are are voting for the first time in your county, you must include a include a copy of your ID with your form.  If you don't, you'll need to provide ID the first-time you vote in person or by absentee ballot. Acceptable forms of ID include: a COPY of a current and valid photo identification that shows your name OR a COPY current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the your name and address.

Voter registration verification:

You should receive written confirmation that your voter registration was processed in 2-3 weeks.  Don't panic if you never receive your voter registration card: you don't actually need it to vote.  If you not sure if your registration was processed - or if you simply can't remember if you're register to vote - you can use the voter registration verification tools here.

Voting by Absentee Ballot

Absentee ballot rules:

Good news! Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot (called "Advance Voting" in Kansas).

How to apply for an absentee ballot:

Download and complete the Kansas absentee ballot application.  Mail your completed application to your  County Election Officer.  Your election officer will start mailing the absentee ballots 20 days before the election.  Sick, disabled or illiterate voters may receive assistance in applying for and casting absenteeballots.  

ID requirements for absentee voters:

You do not need to include ID with your absentee ballot if you've voted in your county at least once.  If you are voting for the first time in your county, then you must include identification with your absentee ballot application.  Include a copy of a current and valid photo identification, such as a Kansas driver's license, or a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, government check, or other government document that shows your name and address. If I do not have any of these documents handy, you must provide your Kansas driver's license number and/or the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

Absentee ballot directions: 

Fill out your absentee ballot, sign where indicated, put a stamp on it, and then mail your ballot back to your County Election Officer.  Be sure to meet the deadline or your absentee ballot won't be counted!

State Contact Information