By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post
The deadline for candidates to file for the fall election is quickly approaching.
Party candidates in local and statewide elections have until noon on Monday, June 1, to file the necessary paperwork and pay the associated fees at the county election office.
In Ellis County, there are two county commission seats up for election as well as the county clerk, treasurer, attorney, sheriff and register of deeds positions. Township trustee and treasurer and precinct committee positions are also up from election.
In the city of Ellis, three city council positions are also up for election this fall.
The deadline for Independent candidates to file is noon Aug. 3. Independent candidates must file by petition.
A list of offices up for election and candidates who have filed for election can be found by clicking HERE.
Monday is also the deadline for voters to change party affiliation for the Aug. 4 primary election.
Both Democrat and Republican parties in Kansas elected to have closed primary elections in 2020 which means voters must be registered to participate in the party’s primary.
Ellis County Clerk and Election Officer Donna Maskus encouraged voters to use the Kansas Secretary of State’s Voter View website.
There, voters can access their districts, voting history and polling location.
Residents who are not registered to vote in Kansas can do so through the website.
Maskus also encouraged Ellis County voters who are interested in receiving a mail-in advanced ballot to return their application to the clerk’s office.
Earlier this month, advance ballot request forms for both the Aug. 4 primary and Nov. 3 general election went out to registered voters in Ellis County.
Maskus said the forms give voters an option to vote by mail in light of the current uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is just an option,” Maskus said. “They can still go to the polling site election day, (and) they can still come in and vote advanced voting, which starts July 20.”
Maskus said there have been almost 1,000 requests for primary advanced ballot.
Those requests have to be returned to the county election office by is July 28.
Residents who did not receive the forms or are not sure of their registration status are encouraged to use the Voter View website or contact the Ellis County Election office.