TOPEKA (KSNT) - The number of ballots mailed out for this year's primary election is down significantly from the 2022 election.
July 17 was the first day of advance voting in Kansas. 38,221 ballots were sent out that day. In 2022, 76,201 ballots were sent out on the first day of advance voting. There is a reason behind the number going down. In 2022, there was an additional item on the ballot that would have removed the right to abortion from the state's constitution.
KSNT 27 News spoke to the Shawnee County Election Commissioner Andrew Howell, who explained how the abortion question from 2022 played a big factor in the numbers we are seeing in 2024.
"In 2022 we had an additional item on the ballot which was the question that all voters had. So you additionally not only had Republicans and Democrats, but people didn't have to change their party to vote on that question,"Howell said. "So you'd have had all of the unaffiliated voters, which are a significant number that could also cast ballots and did."
July 30 is the final day to apply for an advance voting mail ballot.
Howell said it is important to apply and submit your ballots as soon as possible because mail delivery times can vary. The primary election will take place on Aug. 6.
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