Avoid the rush
By Patrick Kelley
Originally published 01:17 p.m., June 16, 2008
Updated 01:17 p.m., June 16, 2008
The nation has been tightly focused on the presidential election, which is now less than five months away. But now that the Republicans and the Democrats have chosen their presumptive candidates (they won’t have their official candidates until after the August and September conventions), it is time to focus on an election that’s a little bit closer.
Kansas will have its state primary on Aug. 5, and there are a couple of interesting party races that, down the road, could affect the state as much as who is elected president in November. Most Gazette readers will not be involved in the choice of a Republican to challenge Rep. Nancy Boyda for her congressional seat, but all Kansas Democrats will have the opportunity to choose a candidate to go up against Sen. Pat Roberts, who might be vulnerable this year.
But only those who are properly registered to vote will be allowed to cast ballots in the election, and the deadline for registration – 15 days before any election – is next month. People who are not registered to vote should get to the courthouse soon and register. It costs nothing and takes little time.
Some people who are registered to vote will need to change their registration. For example, if you have changed your name or moved since you last registered, you need to update your registration to avoid embarrassment at the polls on Aug. 5.
Register soon. Put it off long enough, and the deadline will have come and gone.
And once you have registered, you are set. You won’t have to register again unless you move and you will be a fully qualified voter for any election that comes along. You will be ready to go to the polls on Nov. 4 and tap the screen for your presidential pick— just like all the other voters across the nation.