The Kansas secretary of state’s office says as of Monday morning, more than 40,000 advance ballots had been sent to Kansans but never returned. KPR’s Stephen Koranda reports on what to do if you requested an early ballot but haven’t yet turned it in.
Kansas advance ballots have to be physically back in the county election office by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew says don’t just drop the ballot in your mailbox and hope for the best.
“A lot of states have what are called postmark laws. As long as it’s postmarked on Election Day, it counts. We are not one of those states. If we receive it on Wednesday or Thursday, it will not count,” says Shew.
Ballots may be dropped off at the county election office to beat the deadline.
Because of state law, advance ballots cannot be dropped off at polling places. Shew says voters who requested an advance ballot, but won’t be able to turn it in, can fill out a new provisional ballot at their polling place.
State law says voting stations must be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., although counties can choose to extend those hours.