OLATHE, Kan. — Kansas advance voting for the 2022 midterm election can begin as soon as Oct. 19, according to state law. But there’s plenty of other information voters need to know.

Early voting can vary slightly by county, but every Kansas county is required to all allow residents to cast their ballot ahead of time in person or by mail. Kansas residents also don’t need an excuse for advance voting.

Here’s what you need to know if you want to vote before the Nov. 8 election:

When can I vote in advance?

Kansas counties can open advance voting up to 20 days before Election Day, but they don’t have to start early voting precisely on Oct. 19.

In Johnson County, for example, ballots will be mailed out starting Oct. 19, but in-person advance voting won’t start until Oct. 22. Likewise, Wyandotte County will start mailing ballots Wednesday but won’t open in-person early voting locations until Oct. 24.

Starting Oct. 19, voters in Douglas, Leavenworth and Miami counties can visit designated locations to cast their ballots ahead of election day.

Under state law, however, all Kansas counties must offer in-person advance voting no later than Oct. 25.

The deadline for in-person advance voting to wrap up is noon Nov. 7, the day before the election. For more information on voting by mail deadlines, see the section below.

Where can I vote early?

Locations where you can vote early in person vary depending on county.

In Johnson County, there are multiple locations open at various dates and times, giving voters plenty of opportunities to cast their ballot.

The following sites are open in Johnson County as early voting locations:

Oct. 22-Nov. 5, Nov. 7

• Arts and Heritage Center
• Hilltop Conference Center
• Johnson County Election Office

Oct. 22-Nov. 5

• JCL Lackman Facility
• Johnson County Northeast Offices
• Johnson County Sunset Office Building
• Olathe Indian Creek Library
• Monticello Library
• New Century Fieldhouse

Oct. 29-Nov. 5

• Johnson County Community College Midwest Trust Center
• Leawood City Hall
• Oak Park Library
• Olathe Fire Administration
• Shawnee City Hall
• Tomahawk Ridge Community Center
• Westwood City Hall

Voting hours at these locations vary, so check the Johnson County Election Office’s website for the full list.

In Wyandotte County, there are four in-person early voting sites. They have various hours, so check the Wyandotte County Election Office’s website in advance.

• Wyandotte County Election Office
• Joe Amayo/Argentine Community Center
• Eisenhower Recreation Center
• Kane Community Center

In Douglas County, the election office in Lawrence will host regular advance voting on weekdays from Oct. 19 through Nov. 7. Additionally, the following locations will be open the week before the election:

• Golf Course Superintendents Building
• Flory Meeting Hall at the Fairgrounds
• Lied Center Pavilion

The county will also have four locations open for two Saturdays before the election:

• Douglas County Elections Office
• Lecompton City Hall
• Eudora City Hall
• Baldwin City Fire Station

Hours vary at these Douglas County locations, so check the election office’s website before going to vote.

In Leavenworth County, there are three locations available:

• Oct. 19 to Nov. 7
  • Leavenworth County Court House – 300 Walnut Street, Leavenworth, Kansas
    • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ends at 12 p.m. on November 7)
• Wednesday, Nov. 2
  • Basehor United Methodist Church – 18660 158th Street, Basehor, Kansas
    • 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 3
  • Tonganoxie VFW – 910 E 1st Street, Tonganoxie, Kansas
    • 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

In Miami County, there are also three locations available depending on the date.

• Oct. 19 to Nov. 7
  • Miami County Administration Building – 201 S Pearl Street, Paola, Kansas
    • 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (ends 12 p.m. on November 7)
• Oct. 25 and Nov. 3
  • Miami County Administration Building
    • 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 29 and Saturday Nov. 5
  • Miami County Administration Building
    • 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Voting by mail

If you choose to vote by mail in Kansas, you’ll have to apply to have a ballot sent to you. You’ll be asked to include your driver’s license number or a copy of your photo ID.

Even if you requested a mailed ballot for a previous election, you have to ask for one again. You can fill out the application online or print and mail it to your county election office.

For the November election, the deadline to apply for an advance ballot by mail is Nov. 1.

Mailed ballots come with a pre-addressed return envelope. You’ll be asked to sign the outside of the ballot envelope. That signature is then reviewed with voter registration records.

When you’re all done casting your vote, ballots have to be postmarked on or before Election Day and received at your county’s election office by the end of business on the Friday after the election, Nov. 11.

Many counties will also let voters return their advance ballot to a drop box, election office or voting location. This varies by county, so check with your local election office for more details.

In Johnson County, there are nine ballot drop boxes, available 24/7, which are shown on an interactive map online.

In Wyandotte County, you can deliver your ballot to three locations, including the election office in KCK. Douglas County has four drop box locations throughout the county as well.

You can track the status of your advance by mail application and ballot online through the Kansas Secretary of State’s website.

Do I need ID to vote in advance?

State law requires Kansas voters to show photo ID when casting a vote in person. That applies to voting in advance as well.

If a voter doesn’t have photo ID or the information isn’t valid, the election office will issue a provisional ballot, which won’t be valid until the voter submits their photo ID to the county election office.

The following documents can be used to meet Kansas’ photo ID requirements:

• Driver’s license or ID card issued by Kansas or another state
• U.S. Passport
• U.S. Military ID
• ID card issued by a Native American tribe
• Employee badge or ID issued by a government office
• Student ID card from an accredited postsecondary education institution in Kansas
• Concealed carry license issued by Kansas or another state
• Public assistance ID card issued by a government office

There are a few exemptions for the photo ID requirement: permanent advance voters (voters with illness or disabilities); military and overseas voters and their spouses and dependents; and voters with a religious objection.