Voting by mail is a convenient solution available to every registered voter. Your schedule is just too busy? Can’t find transportation? Whatever the need, you can vote your ballot in the comfort of your own home and when it is more convenient for you.

Am I eligible to vote by mail?

Yes! All registered voters are eligible to vote by mail. Complete and submit a one-page application (PDF) for every election in which you want to vote by mail. That’s one application for each election.

Voters with a permanent illness or disability may be eligible for a special program which requires a one-time application to automatically receive a ballot by mail for every election. Please contact us to obtain the application if you think you might qualify.

How does voting by mail work?

Send us your application. When we receive your application, we'll set you up to receive your ballot by mail. You may submit your application as early as 4 months before an election, and your ballot will be in our initial mass mailing which begins 20 days before Election Day. The deadline to apply for a ballot by mail is on Tuesday, one week before Election Day. 

We will send you an official ballot, voting instructions, a return envelope and an "I voted" sticker. Wear the sticker and impress your friends and neighbors that you have already voted!  

Your ballot

The paper ballot you receive is the same ballot you would receive if you went to your polling place on Election Day. 

To vote your ballot, mark your choices by completely filling in the oval to the left of your choice of candidate or answer to a question. There are instructions printed on the ballot to help you. If you make a mistake or damage your ballot, please contact us. We will send you a replacement ballot.  

When you have finished marking your ballot, place it in the provided return envelope.

Your return envelope

The back of the return envelope includes three “Statements.” The first Statement is the most important! You, the voter, must print your name, write your current address and sign on the lines provided. If you are designating a person to return your ballot to our office, check the small box under your signature. Statement 2 is signed by the person who is assisting you, if you need assistance to vote your ballot, or who you have designated to return your ballot to our office. Use Statement 3 if you need another person to sign your ballot for you. When you are satisfied that all your information is correct, then you can seal your ballot envelope. The seal is on the inside of the privacy flap that is used to protect your voter information.

Here's a few things you must remember to do:

·         Sign your ballot envelope. If you forget to sign your ballot, we will attempt to contact you. Your ballot cannot be counted if the envelope is not signed. 

·         Seal your ballot inside the return envelope to return it to our office. Even if you choose to deliver your ballot to our office, it must be in the sealed return envelope. 

·         If someone assists you in marking or signing your ballot, please have them read and sign the appropriate statement.

·          Apply postage if you plan to return your ballot by mail. 

 

How do I return my voted ballot?

You have two options for returning your voted ballot to our office:

By mail

Mail your ballot in the provided return envelope. The envelope is pre-addressed. You must apply the correct postage.  Your ballot must be postmarked on or before election day and received by the Friday after the election.

By personal delivery to our office

Deliver your ballot to our office at 850 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS not later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. We are open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Election Day until 7 p.m. If you have someone else deliver your ballot for you, you should write their name in the space provided in Statement 2 on your return envelope and have them sign on the line provided before you seal the envelope. 

What is the deadline for returning my ballot?

Your ballot must be received in our office or postmarked by 7 p.m. on Election Day.