Voters across the nation have an important role in every election and this Nov. 5 General Election is no different.
In recent years, questions have been shared with The Eureka Herald regarding election policies and procedures. The following “ Did You Know?” section is designed to help alleviate questions that voters may have.
Did You Know you can leave questions blank on the ballot if you aren’t sure which candidate or how to answer a specific question? Election officials must count all ballots, even those containing blanks.
Did You Know you can review a sample ballot prior to voting? Sample ballots are available online beginning 45 days prior to elections. Sample ballots may also be requested at your local election office or at polling locations. To view sample ballots online visit myvoteinfo.voteks.org.
Did You Know it is illegal to wear clothing in support or opposition of a candidate within a 250 feet radius of the front entrance of polling locations? There is a state statute that prohibits electioneering in the State of Kansas. According to kansaslegislature. gov, the 2012 statute reads as follows: “252430, Electioneering (a) Electioneering is knowingly attempting to persuade or influence eligible voters to vote for or against a particular candidate, party or question submitted. Electioneering includes wearing, exhibiting or distributing labels, signs, posters, stickers or other materials that clearly identify a candidate in the election or clearly indicate support or opposition to a question submitted election within any polling place on election day or advance voting site during the time period allowed by law for casting a ballot by advance voting or within a radius of 250 feet from the entrance thereof. Electioneering shall not include bumper stickers affixed to a motor vehicle that is used to transport voters to a polling place or to an advance voting site for the purpose of voting. (b) As used in this section, “advance voting site” means the central county election office or satellite advance voting sites designated as such pursuant to subsection (c) of K.S.A. 25-1122, and amendments thereto, and adult care homes and hospital-based care units at the time of an election participating in the voting procedures prescribed in K.S.A. 2012 Supp. 252812. (c) Electioneering is a class C misdemeanor.”
Did You Know that if you make a mistake while c omple t ing your ballot you can request another? Voters are allowed to obtain up to two replacement ballots if there is mismarked or spoiled ballots. Voters must note this before placing their ballot in the election ballot box and the original will be shredded.
Did You Know you can vote in-person before the election? Advance voting can start 20 days before election day but, must begin at least 7 days prior to election day. In-person voting concludes in every county at noon on the Monday before the election.
Did You Know that Kansas has security measures for advance-by-mail ballots? State statutes are actually in place that require county election offices to compare signatures on the ballot application and ballot envelope (when submitted) with their voter registration records, as well as requiring voters to provide their photo identification number on their application.
Did You Know that if you requested a mail-in ballot you can vote in person? Voters are only able to complete one ballot per election; however, in the event that a mail-in ballot is lost, voters may choose to cast their ballot in person through a provisional ballot. Election officials will then verify that the mail-in ballot wasn’t submitted to ensure voters only vote once.
Did You Know you could check the status of your advance-by-mail ballot application and/or ballot? Voters can contact their local election office to check the status of both the application and the ballot. Voters are also able to track the status of their application and advance-by-mail ballot online at myvoteinfo.voteks. org.
Did You Know there is a ballot box behind the Greenwood County Courthouse? This ballot box is solely for those who requested advance by-mail ballots. This election box is available for those voters who choose to not send their ballot through the United States Postal Service. The election box is located at 311 N. Main and will remain open until 7 p.m. on election day. Election officials will gather the ballots and verify the signatures as noted above.
Did You Know that you need identification to vote? To vote at a polling place, either on or before election day, voters should state their legal name, provide photo identification, state their address and sign the poll book. Voters will then be given their ballot to proceed to an electronic voting machine. Voters will review their votes and print their ballot before placing it in the election box at the polling site. Advanceby- mail ballots must be postmarked by election day and received by the election office by Friday, Nov. 8.
State law requires polling places to be open for 12 consecutive hours on election day. The law also allows polling locations to open as early as 6 a.m. and close as late as 8 p.m. Generally, locations are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., as they are in Greenwood County, on election day. Those seeking additional information may contact their election offices (Greenwood County Clerk’s Office, 620-583-8121) or visit https://sos.ks.gov/
