KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly is urging counties to put out more ballot collection boxes in their communities as the November election approaches.
Secretary of State Scott Schwab is already working to get each county two additional ballot drop boxes, Kelly said Monday, after a record number of absentee ballots were applied for and returned in the August primary elections.
Kelly emphasized that counties can use CARES Act funding to increase the number of drop boxes in their jurisdictions further.
The governor said Monday she encourages Kansas residents to vote by mail due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the public health risk posed by gatherings at polling places.
She said voting by mail has other benefits, too.
“Adding more ballot drop boxes will not only lessen the public health risks that would come from gathering in long lines at polling places, but sending fewer ballots through the mail will also lessen the burden on the United States Post Office,” Kelly said.
The general election takes place on Nov. 3.
According to Schwab’s office, advance mail-in or in-person voting may begin as early as Oct. 14.
Oct. 27 is the deadline for residents to apply for mail-in ballots.
Mail-in ballots must be postmarked on or before election day, and received by Nov. 6.
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