Election officials in Kansas are working with a new voting schedule this year.
In 2015, state lawmakers moved local elections from the spring to the fall of odd-numbered years. That means 2017 is the first year in which voters will cast ballots for offices such as school board and city commission in an August primary.
Andrew Howell, Shawnee County’s election commissioner, said the change could affect voter turnout.
“We could see a slight upturn in turnout because you don’t have to deal with the ice and cold weather. I think that tends to slow people down on some of these primary elections in the past," said Howell. "I think it will be interesting to see if we see a big change or even just a small change in turnout."
Tuesday is the deadline to register to vote before the August 1st primary. The general election will be held November 7th.