Know Your Voting Rights

On this page, you’ll find links to register to vote, view your sample ballot, find your polling location, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Kansas law requires election offices to accept one of the outlined forms of valid ID as long as it reflects your name, includes a photo of you, and has not expired. This means your ID’s gender marker or our gender presentation should have no impact on your ability to vote in Kansas. If you have issues with your identification at the polls, please call the Election Protection Hotline to get help from our trained team.

If you have problems registering to vote or voting or have additional questions, please call the national, non-partisan Election Protection Hotline:

• English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)
• Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682)
• Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US (1-844-925-5287)
• Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, or Vietnamese: 1-888-274-8683

Learn More and Sign up for the Election Protection team here.

Please Note: ACLU of Kansas staff, board, and volunteers are not election officials, nor do they hold themselves out as such.

Can I vote in Kansas?

You can register and vote in Kansas if you meet all of the following qualifications:

• You are a United States citizen.
• You are a resident of the state of Kansas.
• You are at least 18 years of age.

How do I register to vote?

You can register in three ways. Regardless of the method, you will be able to vote in all elections. The three different ways are (pick JUST one):

• Use the federal voter registration form: Register online at www.ksvotes.org or print and mail to the address listed on the form at https://www.eac.gov/voters/national-mail-voter-registration-form. Citizens using the federal voter registration form do not need to submit a birth certificate, passport, or similar “proof of citizenship” document.
• At the motor vehicle office while applying for a new driver’s license or renewing an existing driver’s license. Citizens registering at the motor vehicle office do not need to submit a birth certificate, passport, or similar “proof of citizenship” document.
• Use the state voter registration form, which can be filled out online at https://www.kssos.org/forms/elections/voterregistration.pdf or in person at your local election authority. As of June 2018, citizens using the state form do not need to submit a birth certificate, passport, or similar “proof of citizenship” document in order to complete the registration process.

What is the voter registration deadline?

In order to vote in and election, you must have submitted your registration 20 days before the election.

What if I've moved?

You must update your voter registration every time you move. You can do this online as outlined above in the “How do I register to vote in Kansas?” section or by contacting your local election authority.

How do I know that I am registered?

You should receive a notice in the mail confirming your registration. You may check online at ksvotes.org or contact your local election authority to confirm your registration.

Can I vote before Election Day?

Yes! Any registered voter can vote in advance of the election. You have two options:

• Request an absentee ballot and vote in advance by mail by 7 days before the election and mail it back or drop it off by the day of the election. *You must include your driver's license number or a copy of an accepted ID.*
• Many counties in Kansas offer advance, in-person voting, look for an early voting location near you. *This list may not always be completely up to date, check with your local election office to find out if and when this may be available in your county.*

Do I need to show photo identification in order to vote?

Yes. When voting in person, you must show government-issued photo identification. Acceptable forms of documentation include:

• A driver’s license or identification card issued by Kansas, another state, or an Indian tribe.
• A concealed carry of handgun or weapon license issued by Kansas or by another state.
• A United States passport.
• An employee badge or ID document issued by a city, county, state, or federal government office.
• A military identification document issued by the United States.
• A student identification card issued by an accredited postsecondary institution of education in Kansas.
• A public assistance identification card issued by a city, county, state, or federal government office.

The Kansas Secretary of State has a list of acceptable forms of photo ID for voting. Under SB 244, Kansas driver’s licenses that do not reflect your sex assigned at birth are no longer valid. Although this means that for many transgender Kansans, the sex/gender marker on their Kansas driver’s license will not match their gender, your gender presentation does not have to match the sex/gender marker on your otherwise acceptable form of photo ID for it to be valid for voting purposes. SB 244 also does not affect the validity of non-Kansas identity documents.

Where do I vote?

Check with your local election office or visit the Kansas Secretary of State's website to find your polling place. Due to COVID-19, please follow CDC guidelines and reach out to your local election office for location-specific guidance.

If you vote by mail, your mail ballot needs to be postmarked by Election Day.

What if I have problems at the polls?

If you are not on the voter list, first ask a poll worker to check the list again and to confirm that you are at the right polling place for your address. If you are at the right polling place, but your name is not on the voter list, ask for a provisional ballot. If you are at the wrong place, get help finding the right one.

If someone tries to harass or intimidate you, tell a poll worker right away.

If you have problems registering to vote or voting or have additional questions, please call the national, non-partisan Election Protection Hotline:

English: 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683)
Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682)
Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US (1-844-925-5287)
Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, or Vietnamese: 1-888-274-8683

Can I still vote if I have been convicted of a crime?

Yes. If you were convicted of a misdemeanor, you can vote.

If you’re awaiting trial on a felony charge, you can vote.

If you were convicted of a felony, you can vote once you complete your sentence, including any probation or parole. You will have to re-register to vote once your sentence is complete, per K.S.A. 22-3722.

Other Know Your Voting Rights Guides

Below are additional resources to directly help Kansans with specific questions on voting rights:

• Voting with a Criminal Record
• Voting from Jail
• Voting as a Survivor of Domestic Violence
• Voting while Unhoused
• If You Requested an Advanced Mail Ballot and Did Not Receive It
• Know Your Voting Rights with a Disability