Don’t forget to vote on August 2!

By Leslie Montee

Hometown Girard

 

This Tuesday, August 2, is the day for primary elections in Crawford County. While voters who are unaffiliated, or not registered with a recognized political party, cannot vote on the primary party candidates on the ballot, they can vote on the highly controversial proposed Value Them Both constitutional amendment.

A new law passed in 2014 by the Kansas Legislature prohibits party members from switching parties during a period beginning on the candidate filing deadline (Noon on June 1) through the date when the results of the August primary are certified, according to the Crawford County, Kansas website. However, unaffiliated individuals who decide they want to vote for a specific candidate in the primary can declare a party at the poll if they choose to do so. After elections in November, parties can be switched or removed entirely. If you are not sure of your political affiliation, you can visit www.ksvotes.org or call the county clerk’s office at 620-724-6115.

For those who may be out of town or otherwise unable to make it to their polling location on the day of, early voting is open at the Crawford County Clerk’s office from 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Friday July 29 and 8:00 AM – 12:00 noon on Monday, August 1. The office is located on the second floor of the courthouse, located at 111 E. Forest in Girard.

Voters must have a valid form of identification to vote. Acceptable forms are a valid driver’s license, passport, student ID card from an accredited post-secondary institution in Kansas, military ID, government issued employee badge, conceal and carry handgun license, or public assistance identification card. Voters age 65+ may use an expired document.