Tuesday is the last day to register to vote before statewide primaries Aug. 2.
Advanced voting begins in person at the Cowley County Clerk’s Office, 321 E. 10th in Winfield, July 18-22 from 7:30 a.m. through 5 p.m.; July 25-29 during the same time frame and Aug. 1 from 7:30 till noon.
For Ark City, advanced voting begins in person at the Water Treatment Plant, 400 W. Madison, on July 25 from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. and July 26-29 from 7:30 a.m. through 4 p.m.
If you are already registered to vote, you can review your voter registration or register to vote here. More information on voting in Cowley County and how to register can be viewed here.
The Aug. 2 primary election will also include a yes/no question on an amendment that would alter the Kansas constitution to say it does not guarantee a right to abortions. A vote in favor of the question supports this change to the state’s constitution. A vote against keeps the constitution as is and current abortion restrictions in place.
Abortion access in Kansas, which allows for abortions up to 22 weeks of pregnancy, is currently protected by a state Supreme Court ruling from 2019 that determined the Kansas Bill of Rights grants a “natural right of personal autonomy” that includes the right to “control one’s own body” and to decide whether to continue a pregnancy.
The Aug. 2 primaries will also decide who will be the Republican challenger to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly. Other state offices on the ballot include Secretary of State, State Treasurer and Attorney General, where Kris Kobach, who lost to Kelly in the 2018 gubernatorial race, is vying to be the Republican on the ticket in November.
Derek Schmidt, the current Republican Attorney General for Kansas, is the favorite to challenge Kelly for governor in November. He faces Arlyn Briggs in the Aug. 2 primary.
Locally, incumbent GOP Rep. Cheryl Helmer is facing a challenge from Webster Roth of Winfield for the State House District 79 seat. Kris Trimmer and Cristel Heffron Love are the candidates in the Democratic primary Aug. 2 to be on the ballot for Helmer’s seat in November.
