Submitted to Sumner Newscow by the Sumner County Clerk’s Office — The following is information about the upcoming 2016 Sumner County elections concerning voter registration, advanced voting, voting identification, voting machines, and important dates concerning the upcoming election:

VOTER REGISTRATION

Voter registration closes 20 days prior to EVERY election.

Need to re-register for name changes (such as marriage, etc) or address changes.  Address change must be made on voter registration even if voter is located in the same precinct or next door, across the street, etc.

1^st time registrants in the State of Kansas MUST provide proof of citizenship before they will become a registered voter.

Changes to party affiliation MUST be done by NOON, June 1^st for the Primary Election held in August.  Unaffiliated voters may affiliate at the polls on Election Day.

VOTING

ANYONE may advance vote.  There does not need to be any reason given for advance voting.  Advance voting begins the day after voter registration books close for each election.  Advance voters may vote in person at the County Clerk’s Office or by mail.  Advance ballot applications will need to be submitted to vote.  Photo ID will need to be shown when voting in person.  If voting by mail the voter’s driver’s license number or non-driver’s license number will need to be listed on the application.

Permanent Advance voting is allowed if the voter has a permanent physical disability or illness.  After receiving a Permanent Advance application the list of these voters is maintained in the County Clerk’s office and these voters are mailed a ballot in each election in which they are authorized to vote.

When voting by mail the voter will receive an envelope that is marked Election Materials.  Enclosed they will find their ballot(s), instructions for voting by mail, and an envelope to return their ballots to the County Election Office.  The back of the return envelope MUST be signed by the voter for their ballot to be counted.  If the voter is given any assistance in the voting process, there are also boxes to check on the back of the return envelope and lines for the name and signature of the individual assisting the voter.  After receiving the ballot in the Election Office the voter’s ballot number is verified and the signature on the envelope is matched to the voter’s signature on file.  No postage is provided when voting by mail unless the election is a specific mail ballot election.

When voting at the polling location on Election Day every voter MUST provide a photo ID.

There is a handicapped accessible voting machine at each polling location on Election Day.  Any handicapped voter may vote independently by using this machine if they wish.  Otherwise, someone may assist a voter by signing an Affidavit of Assistance form at the polling location.

If any voter is not listed in the poll book (registered voter list) on Election Day, they will be allowed to vote.  The voter will be asked to vote a Provisional Ballot.  This procedure requires the voter to fill out a new voter registration card, fill out information on the Provisional Ballot envelope, vote a regular ballot and place it in the Provisional Envelope.  It will be submitted to the Election Office where it will be researched to see if the voter is indeed registered.  The results of each inquiry are recorded and then it is up to the Board of Canvassers (County Commissioners) to determine if the ballot is valid.  If it is, the votes are added to the total votes in that precinct and/or district.  If the ballot is deemed invalid it is not removed from the envelope and the voter registration is added to the voter rolls.

 

IMPORTANT DATES IN 2016

Voter registration closing dates 2016:

June 1, 2016 – NOON         Party Affiliation for August Primary Election

July 12, 2016                       August Primary Election

October 18, 2016                 November General Election

Election dates 2016:

August 2, 2016                    Primary Election

November 8, 2016               General Election

Filing Deadlines for Candidates:

June 1, 2016 – NOON         Federal, State, and Local Candidates

August 1, 2016                    Independent Candidates (must file by petition)

Beginning 2017 – ALL city/school elections will be held in the August/November cycle.

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