Election Office

How Do I Vote?

Become a Voter  |  Voting Options  |  Provisional Voting
Where to Vote  |  Voting Assistance 

Become a Voter

The Election Office strives to make voting easy for voters.  Here is how to become a voter and keep your registration current so voting in future elections stays simple.

Step 1:  Register to Vote.

Registration Requirements

To vote, you must register with the Election Office, be a United States citizen, and be at least 18 years old by the next general election. 

Registration Application

You can register to vote for the first time or change your current registration information online.  If you do not have either of these documents, you may register to vote using a Kansas Voter Registration Application and submit it to the Election Office.  Applications are available at the Election Office and many Registration Outposts.  Registration is open except for the 21 days before Election Day in the district where an election is held.  You must re-register each time you change your name, address, or party affiliation for voting.

Party Affiliation

When you register, you can affiliate with a party or be unaffiliated.  During partisan primary elections, unaffiliated voters may affiliate when voting.

Step 2:  Vote in the next election!

You have three convenient Voting Options to choose from in Sedgwick County.   

Step 3:  Keep your registration information current.

Keep voting simple for you by keeping your registration information current.  Re-register if you move, change your name, or want to change your party affiliation. 

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Voting Options

You have three convenient voting options to choose from in Sedgwick County:  

Vote Early by Mail 

To vote by mail, complete an Advance Voting Application and mail or fax it to the Election Office.  We start mailing ballots 20 days before Election Day.  The voted ballot must be returned to the Election Office by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Military and overseas voters can vote in federal elections by submitting to the Election Office a completed Federal Post Card Application.  This allows a ballot to be mailed 45 days before the election so it can be returned by Election Day.

Vote Early in Person 

Go to the Advance Vote Center most convenient for you.  They will check you in by computer.  You can vote on a voting machine or by paper ballot.

The Election Office begins in-person advance voting 13 days before the election and continues until 12 Noon the Monday before Election Day.  Additional available sites  are open Thursday – Saturday the week before Election Day for local elections, or Tuesday – Saturday for large county-wide elections.

Poll Agents

Authorized poll agents are permitted to be present as observers at original, intermediate and final canvasses of elections and at polling places./p>

To become a poll agent, file a completed Authorized Poll Agent Form with the Election Office prior to observing at canvasses or polling places.  You will be provided with an “OBSERVER” badge that you must wear while observing.

Who is eligible for advance voting?

Any registered voter who wishes to vote in advance of election day is eligible and may apply for an advanced voting ballot.  Advance voting begins 20 days before an election and ballots will be issued up until noon the day before elections; however, advance ballots may be turned in until polls close on Election Day at 7 pm. 

What do I need in order to vote in advance?

A signed application is required before an advance ballot can be issued.

Applications for elections can be mailed to the Sedgwick County Election Office, 510 N. Main, Suite 101, Wichita, KS 67203 beginning with these dates:

Where can I get an advance voting application?

Advance voting applications are available here or by calling the Sedgwick County Election Office at 660-7100.  Applications are also available at the Sedgwick County Dillon Stores.  Voters can go to the Sedgwick County Election Office or to the satellite voting locations to apply for and vote in advance 13 days before the scheduled election date.

Where do I send my advance voting application?

Signed applications should be mailed to the Election Office at 510 N. Main Street, Suite 101, Wichita, KS 67203.

Where can I get my advance ballot?

Beginning 20 days before the election, an advance ballot will be mailed to one of three locations, specified by the voter:

• Voter’s residential address or mailing address

• Voter’s temporary residential address

• Medical care facility, psychiatric hospital, hospice or adult care home where the voter resides

A voter can also apply and can vote in advance 13 days before the scheduled election in designated locations.

NOTE: The ballot must be voted in secrecy and returned to the Sedgwick County Election Office by the time the polls close on election day.

Is there a number I can call with questions?

For 24-hour voter information call 660-7120.

*Note: For additional information regarding Advance Voting for individuals who live abroad, visit http://www.fvap.gov

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Provisional Voting

In the following situations, a person offering to vote will complete a voter registration application, and then be given a provisional (paper) ballot instead of voting on a machine:

1. Voter’s name different from registered name
2. Voter’s address different from registered address
3. Voter’s name not in registration book
4. Person listed in registration book as an Advance Voter
5. In primary elections, party affiliation different from that announced by the voter

A person voting a provisional ballot will also be handed an envelope to fill out and then seal the ballot inside.  The sealed envelope will be held by election officials pending a determination, as provided by law, of the voter’s qualifications to vote.

Change of Name or Address

If a registered voter changes his or her name or moves, the voter must re-register.  The two options available are:

1. Re-register when voter registration is open
2. Fill out a voter registration application on Election Day before voting at the precinct of the voter’s new address.  With this option the voter votes a provisional ballot, instead of voting on a machine, for this election.

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Vote at Your Polling Place on Election Day 

To find your assigned Polling Place check your voter card, call us at (316) 660-7100, or use this VoterView link.

Polling Places are open for voting on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Both machine voting and paper ballot voting options are available.

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Assistance in Voting:

A voter may request assistance if unable to vote unassisted by reason of:

• Physical disability

• Visual handicap

• Lack of proficiency in reading the English language

• Sixty-five or more years of age

*Note: For additional information visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program w website.

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Voters with Illnesses, Disabilities, or lacking proficiency in the English Language

1. Special voting procedures are available for any voter having a permanent or temporary illness or disability which would make it difficult or impossible for that voter to vote at a voting place.
2. All registration and voting procedures may be handled by mail.
3. To vote by mail, a voter must complete an Application for an Advance Voting Ballot and mail or fax it to the Election Office.
4. Voters who are unable to mark or transmit an advance ballot due to  illness, disability, or lack of proficiency in the English language, may receive assistance from another person.  The person rendering assistance must sign a statement and return both the statement and the advance ballot to the Sedgwick County Election Office by the time the polls close election day.
5. Registered voters having permanent physical disabilities or illnesses are permitted to automatically receive advance ballots before every election.  Applications for this special permanent advance ballot status are available from the Sedgwick County Election Office.
6. IfIf a voter who is elderly or disabled goes to the voting place, but finds it inaccessible, such voter may request that his or her ballot be brought to the entrance of the voting place.

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