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Here's what you need to know if you're voting in Kansas in 2012:
VOTER ID
Starting Jan. 1, 2012, Kansas voters must show photographic identification when casting a vote in person. Acceptable forms of photo ID include:
- A driver's license or non-driver's identification card issued by Kansas or by another state or district of the United States;
- A concealed carry of handgun license issued by Kansas or a concealed carry of handgun or weapon license issued by another state or district of the United States;
- A U.S. passport;
- An employee badge or identification document issued by a municipal, 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 the state of Kansas; and
- A public assistance identification card issued by a municipal, county, state or federal government office.
Are there exceptions?
Yes.
- Persons ages 65 or older may use expired photo ID documents;
- The photo ID requirements do not apply to military and overseas citizens who vote under the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA);
- The photo ID requirements do not apply in mail ballot elections. Mail ballot elections are limited to local jurisdictions holding special question submitted elections;
- The photo ID requirements do not apply to voters who qualify, apply and are accepted to the permanent advance voting list, as long as they remain on the permanent advance voting list; and
- Any person whose religious beliefs prohibit photographic identification may be exempted from the photo ID requirement. Any such person must complete and sign a Declaration of Religious Objection.
Can I get a free ID?
Yes. A registered voter who does not possess any of the approved government-issued photographic identification documents and who wishes to vote may apply for a free non-driver identification card at the Division of Motor Vehicles. The person must sign a form containing an affidavit stating that he or she is registered to vote and does not possess a photographic identification document. To obtain a non-driver identification card, a person must present acceptable proof of identity and proof of residence to the Division of Vehicles, Kansas Department of Revenue. For a complete list of acceptable documents, go to www.ksrevenue.org/dmvproof.html.
Can I get a free birth certificate in order to get my free ID?
Yes. Qualifying individuals who lack proof of identity and desire to obtain a free non-driver identification card may obtain a Kansas birth certificate from the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics at no cost. To qualify for a free birth certificate, you must:
- Not possess any valid photographic identification documents under Kansas law;
- Lack any of the documents necessary to prove identity;
- Sign an affidavit attesting to items 1 and 2;
- Be registered to vote in Kansas; and
- Have been born in Kansas.
For more information about applying for a free birth certificate, call the Kansas Office of Vital Statistics at 785-296-1400 or go to: www.kdheks.gov/vital/birth_cert_voter_ID_instructions.htm.
REGISTRATION
To register to vote you must complete a voter registration application, available at www.sos.ks.gov/forms/elections/voterregistration.pdf.
This form also can be obtained at your county election office, the secretary of state's office or at various sites around the state. Some sites are required by law and others may be designated by the county election officer. These sites include many banks, grocery stores, libraries, city offices and at public events such as county fairs.
What are the ID requirements to register?
Online: To register online, you must have a valid Kansas driver's license or non-driver's identification card. Online registration is available at: https://www.kdor.org/voterregistration/Default.aspx.
Paper form: If you do not have a valid Kansas driver's license or non-driver's identification card, you may register to vote using the last four digits of your Social Security number on the paper form.
Note: Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, new registrants in Kansas must submit proof of U.S. citizenship as part of the registration process.
The deadline to register to vote is 21 days prior to that election.
ADVANCE VOTING
ID requirements for advance voters are the same as for regular voters. If an advance voter fails to provide identification information, or if the information provided is not valid, the county election officer may issue a provisional ballot, but the ballot is not considered valid unless the voter submits identification sometime before the county canvass.
You may vote in person at your county election office starting the Tuesday before Election Day, or up to 20 days before the election, depending on the county. Some counties offer satellite voting sites during the 20-day advance voting period. To find such locations, contact your county election office.
For the 2012 election, many counties will begin in-person advance voting on Oct. 17 for the general election, but some will wait until a later date. All counties must offer in-person advance voting by Oct. 30. The deadline for in-person advance voting in the general election is noon on Nov. 5, 2012.
To vote by mail in advance of Election Day:
- Complete the application for an advance ballot at www.kssos.org/forms/elections/AV1.pdf.
- Provide either your driver's license number on the ballot application or a copy of your photo identification document with your application.
- Return the application to your county election office before Nov. 2 for the 2012 general election.
- The ballot will be mailed to you. Complete and return your ballot to your county election office by mail beginning Oct. 17 for the general election.
- All ballots must be received in the county election office by the close of polls on Election Day.
- You may request assistance in applying for and casting an advance voting ballot.
For more information on voting, call the Kansas Office of the Secretary of State, 800-262-8683, or go to www.voteks.org/.