Kansas hosts first presidential primary in 32 years

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – For the first time in 32 years Kansans have the chance to vote in a Presidential Preference Primary.

Governor Laura Kelly cast her vote Monday in the first primary run by the state since 1992, a change approved by Kansas legislators last session.

Political leaders say they expect the change up to bring out more voters.

“This is the third time in the history of Kansas and it was important to me that we did it this way. Party-run caucus process severely limits participation because of the limited number of locations and the distance you have to drive to get to those locations and honestly, that process was cloaked in secrecy it was a little bit of a mystery. The state-run primaries is a much more transparent process it provides many opportunities and gives Kansas republicans from corner to corner in this great state the opportunity to participate at their home,” says Kansas GOP Chair, Mike Brown.

“Kansas used to have presidential primaries but that was hit or miss and that was always incumbent of the state parties to run individually which is really expensive and prior to the new legislation the state would only pay for one primary and that for us was in August,” says Kansas Democrats, Chair, Jeanna Repass.

Leaders on both side of the aisle continue to support the decision, with an expectation that primaries may make a more permanent return.

“In the state of Kansas, every single legislature is up as well and in a represented republic the only way that your vote matters is if you cast it. You are getting your vote in for a government that represents you, even if your party doesn’t win or your candidate doesn’t win those numbers count that says to the person that did win “hey I’m still here and I need you to hear me and I need your votes to reflect I have value in this state”. Everyone has to vote,” says Repass.

“American blood has been spilled for centuries just for you to have the chance to walk into that polling place and cast your vote for the person of your preference on a secret ballot and for you to get to pick who you want to be your presidential candidate. That’s why it’s important,” says Brown.

Some candidates that have already dropped out of the race will appear on the ballot, like Ron DeSantis (R), Nikki Haley (R), Dean Phillips (D), and Marianne Williamson (D) because the candidates already filed for the Kansas ballot before they suspended their presidential campaigns.

Monday was the last day for advance ballots before polls open for election day on Tuesday, March 19th. To register to vote and to find your polling place click here.

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