Voting procedures explained by Elk County election officer
Any registered voter of Elk County can vote in advance of the Aug. 5 primary election, Elk County Clerk Donna Kaminska said this week.
Kaminska also serves as county election officer.
You may receive your ballots by mail or you may vote in the county clerk’s office of the Elk County Courthouse in Howard. Advanced voting in the courthouse is scheduled to begin July 16, with mailing of advanced ballots scheduled to begin as soon as the ballots are received from the printer.
Courthouse hours of operation are 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Monday thru Thursday. The courthouse is closed on Friday.
To receive a mail ballot, you must first write or call the county election officer and request an advance voting application. The toll free number is 877-504-2490 or 374-2490 locally. The mailing address is P.O. Box 606, Howard, KS 67349. Once the application is received, your ballot will be mailed to you. Ballots must be returned to the Clerk’s Office before 4:30 p.m., on election day, Aug. 5.
If you are not a registered voter, you have until July 21 at 5:30 p.m. to register. You may also change your party affiliation until July 21. If you are registered as an unaffiliated voter, you may vote a Democratic ballot in advance or at the polls on Aug. 5 without declaring a party. However, if you wish to vote a Republican ballot, you must register as a Republican either in advance or at the polls.
If you are a first time voter in Elk County you must show proof of identification before you vote. A valid Kansas drivers license, a utility bill, a paycheck stub, or a government check stub, are all acceptable forms of identification. You can show your proof of identification in advance at the clerk’s office in the courthouse or you may show it at the polling place on election day.
Polling places remain the same with only the Cox Building in Howard, the Community Building in Moline and the Longton Senior Center being used. Howard City and Township, Paw Paw Township, Painterhood Township, Union Center and Liberty Township will vote at the Cox Building in Howard. Moline City, Grenola City, Greenfield Township and Wildcat Township will vote at the Moline Community Building. Longton City and Township, Elk Falls City and Township and Oak Valley will vote at the Longton Senior Center.
“Voting is your right and your privilege,” Kaminska said. “Don’t forget to vote.”