How to vote early for primary election in the KC area: Locations, hours, ID requirements

If you’re out of town on Election Day, or just want to avoid lines at the polls, you can cast an early ballot soon for the Aug. 6 primary election in Kansas and Missouri.

Kansas City area voters will decide on Kansas City Police Department funding and select the top candidates for Missouri governor and Kansas legislators.

Read on to learn when and where you can vote, what you need to bring to the polls and how to research candidates.

No matter if you’re a Democrat, Republican or part of another party, here is what you need to know about early voting around the Kansas City area.

When does early voting start in Kansas and Missouri?

Early in-person voting in Missouri starts Tuesday, July 23. In Kansas, it depends on the county. Johnson County opens early voting locations Saturday, July 20, while Wyandotte County begins a week later, on Saturday, July 27.

Where are the early voting locations?

Kansas City : Jackson County residents living in Kansas City can vote early starting July 23. Most voting locations are open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, Aug. 3 from 8 a.m. to noon. Here are the early voting locations:

• The Whole Person, 3710 Main St.

• United Believers Community Church, 5600 E. 112th Terrace

• The Mount Christian Worship Center, 1800 E. 79th St.

• Kansas City Election Board offices, 4407 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. (It moved from the former location in Union Station last fall.)

Jackson County : Jackson County residents who live outside of Kansas City can cast their ballots starting July 23 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The voting takes place at the Jackson County Election Board’s Absentee Office at 110 N. Liberty, Independence.

Clay County : Starting July 23, Clay County residents (including those in Kansas City) can vote from Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at these locations:

• Annunciation Community Center, 705 N. Jefferson St., Kearney

• Gladstone Community Center, 6901 N. Holmes St., Gladstone

Johnson County : Starting July 20, up to 18 early voting locations will be open Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and weekdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find locations on the Johnson County Election Office website .

Wyandotte County : Starting July 27, most locations are open from Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Here is where you can vote:

• Edwardsville City Hall Training Room: 670 S. 4th St., Edwardsville

• Eisenhower Recreation Center: 2801 N. 72nd St., Kansas City, Kansas

• Joe Amayo/Argentine Community Center: 2810 Metropolitan Ave., Kansas City, Kansas

• Patricia Diane Kane Community Center: 3130 N. 122nd St., Kansas City, Kansas

• Wyandotte County Election Office: 850 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas

Can I vote by mail for the primary?

Any Kansan can request an advance mail ballot . You can fill out a form and email, mail or return it to your election office by July 30. The ballot will be mailed to you and should be postmarked on or before Election Day.

Missouri only allows mail voting for those with excuses like absence from the jurisdiction or a disability that prevents someone from going to the polls. To request a mail-in ballot, fill out the form and email, mail or return it to your election office by 5 p.m. on July 24.

When is Election Day in Kansas and Missouri?

In both Kansas and Missouri, the primary election will take place Tuesday, Aug. 6. The general election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

What ID do I need to vote?

Registered Missouri voters will need a current photo ID issued by the federal or Missouri governments. IDs from other states are not accepted. Usable forms of photo ID for Missouri include:

• A non-expired Missouri driver’s license or a state ID

• A non-expired military ID, including a veteran ID card

• A U.S. passport or another form of photo ID issued by the U.S. government or the state of Missouri that has not expired

In Kansas, there are more options for acceptable photo IDs . Only voters 65 and older can use expired identification.

• Driver’s license or ID card issued by Kansas or another state

• Military ID

• U.S. passport

• 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

What’s on the primary ballot?

You can find your Kansas or Missouri sample ballot online. To research the candidates and issues, use the 2024 Kansas City Voter Guide , created by The Star and partner nonprofit newsrooms.

How do I reach my election office?

If you have questions about voting eligibility, accessibility, registration or locations, contact your local election board.

Missouri

• Kansas City Election Board (Kansas City residents in Jackson County): 816-842-4820
• Jackson County Election Board (rest of Jackson County — like Raytown or Independence): 816-325-4600
• Clay County Board of Election Commissioners (all of Clay County): 816-415-8683

Kansas

• Johnson County Election Office : 913-715-6800
• Wyandotte County Election Office : 913-573-8500

Have more questions about elections in the Kansas City area? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com .