Kansas State University

Voting is happening now; make a plan and vote

Submitted by Timothy J. Shaffer

As of Oct. 14, Kansans are using advance ballots to vote by mail and in person. If you are registered to vote, you can use these opportunities to have your voice heard by voting conveniently and safely, whether that is in person or by mail before the final opportunity to vote on Election Day, Nov. 3. And to vote as an informed citizen, it's important to take a look at what you're voting on so you're not surprised. Who and what's on your ballot? Well, that depends where you are voting.

A "ballot style" is unique to your local voting district, with specific candidates and sometimes ballot questions to vote on. To see a Kansas ballot specific to your voting district:

1. Go to the Kansas Secretary of State website. 
2. Enter your first and last name and date of birth, then click "look up."
3. Under "Election Details" click the sample ballot displayed based on your voting district.

For ballots from other states, visit gettothepolls.org and enter your address. View a sample ballot for Manhattan Ward 5 Precinct 2. You can do your research by finding out about candidate positions and ballots from a nonpartisan source, such as:

• justfacts.votesmart.org
• vote411.org
• ballotready.org

If you have requested a mail-in ballot, please be patient and wait for it to arrive so you can vote at your convenience. You can return it by mail or in person at the appropriate location. There are multiple options in Riley County, so you have many options to return your completed ballot safely and securely.

If you are registered to vote and did not request a mail-in ballot, you can advance vote in person. This can be done at the Riley County Courthouse or at the Kansas State University Student Union on the second floor in the Bluemont Room. The dates to vote in person on campus are as follows:

• Monday, Oct. 19, through Friday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 26, through Friday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Final day: Monday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m. to noon.

Answers to multiple questions about advance voting in Riley County — and in other counties across Kansas — can be found on the Riley County website.

Democracy offers us an opportunity to participate in self-governance. Voting is a critical element to ensuring democracy's future, impacting decisions all the way from the local to the national level.