By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT Hays PostThe 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 <a href="https://www.ellisco.net/DocumentCenter/View/2769/Candidate-Filings">HERE</a>.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 <a href="https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview">website</a>.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.

Election deadlines quickly approaching