FAQ - Elections & Legislative

Q. How do I register to vote?
A. There are four steps.

(1) Obtain the voter registration application. You may use the Kansas form or the federal form.

(a) The Kansas Voter Registration Application form is available for printing on the secretary of state's website here (Español) and on the various county websites. Also, it is available at many locations established by the county election officer. Banks, libraries, schools and government offices usually have the form. Also, everyone has an opportunity to register when applying for or renewing a driver's license or applying for public assistance.

(b) The federal Voter Registration Application is accepted in Kansas. The federal form is found here (Español).

(2) Fill out the application legibly and completely then sign it.

(3) If you are a new Kansas voter on and after January 1, 2013, include your U.S. citizenship document regardless of which application form you use. A list of acceptable documents to prove U.S. citizenship is here.

In order to be eligible to vote in state and local elections in Kansas, you must provide a U.S. citizenship document.

If you use the federal form and you do not provide a citizenship document, then you will be registered to vote only for federal offices and not for state and local elections.

(4) Deliver the completed application (with proof of citizenship if a new Kansas voter) in person, by mail, by fax or by email to the county election officer in the county where you live, no later than the twenty-first day before any election.

Q. How do I find my legislators?
A. Go to www.ipsr.ku.edu/ksdata/vote/general2012.shtml.

Q. How do I purchase law books?
A. Call the Secretary of State's office at (785) 296-4557 or obtain a form online. You may mail the form with payment to the Secretary of State's office. Fax orders are accepted if credit card information is provided.

Q. Where is the office of Vital Statistics?
A. The Office of Vital Statistics, where one may obtain copies of birth and death certificates, is located in Suite 130, Curtis State Office Building, 1000 SW Jackson, Topeka, KS 66612. The phone number is (785) 296-1423.

Q. Where can I get a copy of a birth certificate?
A. The Office of Vital Statistics, where one may obtain copies of birth and death certificates, is located in Suite 130, Curtis State Office Building, 1000 SW Jackson, Topeka, KS, 66612. The phone number is (785) 296-1423.

Q. Where can I get census information?
A. Some information is available from the Secretary of State's office, Elections Division, at (785) 296-4561. More complete information is available at the U.S. Bureau of the Census Internet Web site at www.census.gov.

Q. Where can I get election results?
A. For local election results contact your county election officer. For state and national results contact the Secretary of State's office at (785) 296-4561.

Q. How can I get a copy of a bill passed by the legislature?
A. The text of bills are available at www.kslegislature.org. Each year's bills that are passed into law are published in the Kansas Session Laws, available for purchase from the Secretary of State's office.

Q. How do I get campaign finance information?
A. Call the Secretary of State's office at (785) 296-4561 to arrange for the viewing or purchase of campaign finance reports. Some summary information is posted on the Web site of the Governmental Ethics Commission at www.kansas.gov/ethics/.

Q. Where do I file as a candidate for office?
A. To file for a local office contact your county election officer. To file for a state or national office contact the Secretary of State's office at (785) 296-4561.

Q. How do I purchase a Kansas flag?
A. Kansas flags are available from the Secretary of State's office at (785) 296-4557. An order form is available. Sales tax and shipping charges are added as needed. Purchasers may request to have a flag flown over the Capitol.

Q. How can I contact my county election office?
A. A list of county election offices and contact information is available on our site.

Q. How do I find out where I vote?
A. Contact your county election officer. A list of county election officers and contact information is available on our site.

Q. How do I know what the candidate's stands on issues are?
A. The Secretary of State's office does not collect or disseminate information on candidates' stands on issues. You must contact the candidate or the candidate's campaign office to obtain such information.

Q. How do I purchase a list of registered voters?
A. Each county's list is available from the county election officer. For statewide or multi-county information, the only source is the Secretary of State's office. Lists are available for purchase in various electronic media. Fill out the CVR form; the cost depends on the request. Call the Information Technology department of the Secretary of State's office at (785) 296-0080.