With the COVID-19 pandemic raging on, Election Day may look a lot different this year. Voters wanting to avoid long lines and large crowds on Election Day may want to vote by mail, while other Kansans are still planning on voting in-person on Nov. 3. No matter what your voting plan is for Election Day 2020, this nonpartisan guide is here to help you navigate and understand the state’s voting process, protocols, and deadlines so that you can successfully cast your ballot on Nov. 3.

Registering to Vote

• Deadline to register to vote: Oct. 13
• How to register to vote:
  • Online, if you have a Kansas driver’s license
  • By mail
    • In Spanish
    • You can also print the application at the Main Library location of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Library here or at the Johnson County Public Library
• You can check your voter registration status here
• Accepted forms of identification
  • Driver’s license or state ID card
  • U.S. passport
  • U.S. military ID
  • Native American tribe ID card
  • Government employee badge or ID
  • Student ID from accredited postsecondary education institution in Kansas
  • Concealed-carry license 
  • Public assistance ID card 
  • If you are over age 65, you can use an expired ID.
  • No ID? You can apply for a free nondriver identification card

General Information

• Election day is Nov. 3
• Polling places in Kansas will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • If you are still in line at 7 p.m., you will still be allowed to vote
• Find your polling place

Vote By Mail

All Kansans are able to vote in advance via mail-in ballot. Here’s how:

• Requesting a mail-in ballot
  • Voters must fill out and submit an application for advance ballot by mail by Oct. 27 (Spanish version)
  • Voters must include a driver’s license number or a copy of your photo ID
  • Voters can expect their advance ballot to arrive sometimes after Oct. 14
• Returning your mail-in ballot
  • Your completed ballot must be postmarked on or before Nov. 3 and must be received by Friday, Nov. 6. 
  • The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing your ballot at least one week before the due date, which is Oct. 30.
  • Most counties in Kansas do not cover the cost of postage for mail-in ballots. Douglas County does.

Advanced In-Person Voting

• Skip the long line and vote in person before Election Day
  • You can vote early anytime between Oct. 14 and noon on Nov. 2.
    • Make sure you bring your photo ID.
  • Every county has advance in person voting locations available.
    • Contact your local election office to find advance voting dates and locations. 

Health and Safety

• Did you check all of the options for advance and mail-in voting first? Reducing the amount of contact you have with other people is the best way to stay safe.
• Look at a sample ballot in advance so you can minimize your time at the polling location.
  • Check your local county election office
• Try going during midmorning on Election Day, when the polls aren’t as crowded.
• If you have time, wait in your car until the line looks shorter.
• Make sure you wash your hands before going to vote and again when you get home after.
• Bring hand sanitizer with you and use it after touching any surfaces such as door handles and voting machines, or after exchanging materials with a poll worker.
• Wear a cloth face mask. 
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others.
• Bring your own black pen or pencil.
• If you have your own stylus, bring it along for touchscreen voting machines.

Election Day Resources

• If you are facing problems at your polling location or you see something that you think breaks election law, this is what you can do:
  • Call the Election Protection Hotline: 1-866-687-8683

Sign Up for The Beacon’s Election Tipline

The Beacon is launching a texting tipline for the 2020 election. You can sign up by entering your number in the form below. By signing up for text alerts, you’ll hear directly from our journalists as we report on the election. Do you have a tip about something you think should be a story? Do you have a question about voting? Reach a Beacon journalist by replying to any message. We promise not to spam you.

This nonpartisan voter guide was reported, edited and fact checked by The Beacon.

The Beacon compiled this information from the following sources: Missouri Secretary of State, Kansas Secretary of State, Kansas City, Kansas Public Library, Kansas City Public Library, Johnson County Public Library, Center for Disease Control, KCMO Health Department, National Conference of State Legislatures