18 Jan Primary voter registrations deadlines and 2024 election need to knows
One of the many takeaways that we got from our Mastermind McPherson County Survey and Summit is that Leadership is an important focus for all of our communities. With primary election voter registration deadlines approaching (Feb. 20), it’s important to reiterate that every eligible voter should be registered. Regardless of political affiliation, voting is your best way to ensure continued leadership, especially for local positions. In last years election McPherson County(pop. 30,220) only received 6,921 ballots for its Nov. election.
Voting Facts to Consider:
★ Americans can register to vote when they turn 18 or become a citizen, but they also need to update their registration for any number of reasons, such as moving to a new address or changing their name. Many Americans are unaware of this need or state registration deadlines, preventing them from voting.
★ A 2020 study by the Knight Foundation found that more than one in four unregistered voters (27%) reported not being registered because they didn’t know how, kept forgetting, didn’t have time, were too busy, or recently moved. Among unregistered voters ages 18–24, this number was even higher: 42%.
★ When the registered voting population doesn’t reflect the population as a whole, we end up with a distorted democracy that fails to reflect the views of the country at large. If we’re going to build a democracy that truly represents us all, the best solution is closing registration gaps through on-the-ground voter outreach that meets often disenfranchised groups where they are.
Important Dates to know for McPherson County:
- February 20, 2024 – Deadline to vote or update voter registration information to participate in the Presidential Primary Election (PPP). LAST DAY TO APPLY FOR ADVANCE BALLOT BY MAIL.
- February 28, 2024 – First day of advance voting. Advance ballots by mail are sent out and In-person advance voting begins.
- March 18, 2024 – In-Person advance voting ENDS AT NOON. No Exceptions.
- March 19, 2024 – PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE PRIMARY ELECTION. (ALL ADVANCE BALLOTS BY MAIL MUST BE RECEIVED BY CLOSE OF POLLS )
- August 6, 2024 – PRIMARY ELECTION
- November 5, 2024 – GENERAL ELECTION