By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
For all intents and purposes, many local elections are determined in the primary election. This year's Republican and Democratic primary elections are scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 6. In-person voting in Kansas may begin as early as July 17, and Barton County Clerk Bev Schmeidler said her office plans to be open for voting that morning.
"We are back in the courthouse, second floor, room 202," she said. "We have our new voting booths we were able to implement with the Elections Security Grant we received from the state. Early voting will continue until Aug. 5 at noon. That is when we have to stop by law."
The clerk's office will be open for voting from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Schmeidler hopes to have voting machines up and running by 8 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17, but encourages early voters that morning to contact her office at (620) 793-1835 prior to arrival to ensure voting has started.
"On Saturday, Aug. 3, we also be here from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for voting," Schmeidler said. "If anybody can't make it during the week, we will have that Saturday option."
A valid photo identification is required to vote. The primary election is only for Republican and Democratic candidates. The deadline for voters to change party affiliation was June 3, but unaffiliated voters may still declare a party at the polling place and vote that ballot.