By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The state of Kansas has not voted for a Democratic presidential nominee since 1964. Since then, the Republican-favored margins are often quite sound. Joe Biden's 42 percent of the popular vote in the 2020 General Election marked the highest total for a Democratic candidate since 2008.
Still, the democratic process is important. In April, Gov. Laura Kelly signed a bill that schedules a presidential primary for March 19, 2024. Kansas has not held a presidential primary since 1992, leaving it up to the parties to determine which candidate would appear on the ballot for the General Election. The new primary election will feature races for the Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian parties.
Barton County Clerk Bev Schmeidler said there are still a lot of questions about the presidential preference primary, which could cost Barton County some $40,000.
"The two major political parties must provide written notice prior to Dec. 1 of decision not to participate in the primary," she said. "So, they could opt out of having it."
With the primary, each county would pay costs for voting materials, election workers, and the use of some polling places. State-wide, officials have estimated the primary could cost between $4 million and $5 million. The state does plan to reimburse counties for direct expenses associated with the primary. Election officials in Barton County will also have to contend with hosting the election at a new location.
"With the courthouse being displaced, elections may be a little bit more challenging being out of our normal environment," Schmeidler said. "We're going to have to make due in a temporary location for our early voting."
In the last presidential preference primary in 1992, there were 47 total candidates. To get on the primary ballot in 2024, candidates would have to pay a $10,000 filing fee or secure 5,000 signatures from registered voters.
Barton County may also have an additional election pertaining to the USD 112 Central Plains school district disorganization petition that was filed in Ellsworth County on May 9. That election, which would apply only to residents in that district, could be included in the Aug. 1 primary, if there is a primary election for local city and school races. No date has yet been set for that vote. The deadline to file as a candidate ahead of the primary is noon on June 1.