WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Kansans who want to get their vote in before Tuesday’s primary lined up at election offices Monday. Voters had until noon on Monday to cast an early ballot.

On Monday morning in Sedgwick County, a long line of voters wrapped around the building that houses the Sedgwick County Election Office, 510 N. Main.

“It was probably about an hour and 45 minutes long wait,” said voter Kaitlin Silvers.

Some voters waiting said they saw at least two ambulances come due to people getting overheated.

Candace Landers saw the line on her way and wanted to help by bringing a case of water.

“I knew people probably may not have been prepared and left the house without water, so I wanted them to at least be able to stay in line to get their vote in,” said Landers.

It is rare for Kansas to have lines like Sedgwick County did on Monday.

“We have never seen this before, and the reason why we do predictions is, so we know how to handle polling places,” said Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab.

If you are voting on Tuesday, Schwab said to have a plan as he and his family has.

“We are allowing for an hour. I think it will take 15 minutes at the most, but we are planning for an hour so just give yourself margin,” said Schwab.

Polls open Tuesday morning at 6 a.m.

Experts recommend bringing water just in case you are stuck outside in the heat and expect lines to be longer than normal.

  • People line up outside the Sedgwick County Election Office on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022. They want to vote early in the primary election. (KSN Photo/Sammi Boring)
  • People line up outside the Sedgwick County Election Office on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022. They want to vote early in the primary election. (KSN Photo/Sammi Boring)
  • People line up outside the Sedgwick County Election Office on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022. They want to vote early in the primary election. (KSN Photo/Sammi Boring)
  • People line up outside the Sedgwick County Election Office on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022. They want to vote early in the primary election. (KSN Photo/Sammi Boring)
  • People line up outside the Sedgwick County Election Office on Monday, Aug. 1, 2022. They want to vote early in the primary election. (KSN Photo/Sammi Boring)

The Kansas Secretary of State’s Office announced that as of 8 a.m. Monday, 271,438 Kansans have cast advance ballots.

  • 106,800 are registered as Democrats
  • 122,677 are registered as Republicans
  • 1,457 are registered as Libertarian
  • 40,504 did not declare a party affiliation

Of the people voting early, 198,011 have voted in person, while 73,427 have returned mailed ballots. However, there are still 47,301 mailed ballots that have not been returned.

Of those that have not been returned yet, these are the party affiliations:

  • 20,457 Democrat
  • 18,009 Republican
  • 356 Libertarian
  • 8,479 are unaffiliated with a party

If you requested an advance ballot and intend to mail it in, it must be postmarked by election day and be received in the county election office by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5. Track the status of your advance mail ballot HERE.

If you requested an advance ballot and want to return it in person, you can drop it off by 7 p.m. on election day:

  • At your county election office
  • At any polling place in your county
  • At a secure ballot drop box operated by your county election office