The Johnson County Election Office has opened seven additional advance voting sites across the county, following the initial opening of nine sites on July 16.
Why it matters: The county has expanded early voting opportunities this summer — doubling the number of advanced in-person polling locations that were open during the 2020 presidential primary — as the amount of people casting advanced ballots continues to grow.
How much is early voter turnout up? Compared to the number of advanced votes cast in the 2018 primary — the last mid-term, non-presidential election year — county election officials say early votes this year have already surpassed numbers for that entire election.
- In the 2018 primary, a total of 24,808 voters cast votes during the advance voting period.
- As of Thursday, July 21, the county says it had already checked in 24,808 voters, with more than a week still left for early voting.
What are we voting on? The early votes being cast are for the August 2 primary election, which determines which state, U.S. House and U.S. Senate candidates progress to the Nov. 8 general election.
- This election also includes votes on the nonpartisan Board of County Commissioners chair race and a much-discussed constitutional amendment regarding abortion in Kansas.
Key quote: “The upcoming election is drawing a great deal of interest,” said Johnson County Election Commissioner Fred Sherman. “We’re pleased to see so many people eager to exercise their right to vote.”
Where you can vote: Each of these seven locations opened last Thursday as part of the county’s latest planned wave of advanced in-person voting locations and will stay open through July 30.
Voting hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.
- Johnson County Community College Midwest Trust Center – 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park
- Leawood City Hall – 4800 Town Center Drive, Leawood
- Johnson County Library, Oak Park – 9500 Bluejacket St., Overland Park
- Olathe Fire Administration – 1225 S. Hamilton Circle, Olathe
- Shawnee City Hall – 11110 Johnson Drive, Shawnee (This location will be closed on July 25)
- Tomahawk Ridge Community Center – 11902 Lowell Ave. Overland Park
- Westwood City Hall – 4700 Rainbow Blvd., Westwood
Other voting locations: In addition the following early voting locations were already open and will remain open through this week.
Open through Monday, Aug. 1:
- Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center
- Hilltop Conference Center in Overland Park
- County election office in Olathe
Open through Saturday, July 30:
- JCL Lackman Facility in Lenexa
- County Northeast Offices in Mission
- County Sunset Building in Olathe
- New Century Fieldhouse in Gardner
- Monticello Library in Shawnee
- Olathe Indian Creek Library.
