Advance voting kicks off in Crawford and Labette Counties

GIRARD, Kan. — From your local election headquarters... for some southeast Kansas counties — Wednesday marks the beginning of advance voting.

"It's just not a crazy line. You know, not the packed places. Just show up, vote."

Crawford and Labette Counties are just two counties that kicked off advance voting. The first one to cast their ballot – Crawford County Director of Elections – Gene Rountree-Garcia.

"It's more of a personal relief for me because I'm the one who programs all the ballots and sets up the machines and stuff," said Rountree-Garcia.

More than 40 people came to the Crawford County Courthouse to cast advance votes, some as early as 8 a.m.

"I love as a clerk, I love watching people come in and be excited to vote. That's kind of our job is to make sure people get out there and get involved in their civic duties," said Lisa Lusker, Crawford County Clerk.

Lusker says they anticipate a high voter turnout because of the presidential election.

"We are hearing a lot of excitement about voting. We've had a lot more voter registrations come through this year. So people are ready."

Lusker says the office has also processed more than twelve hundred requests for advance mail-in ballots in the past week and some are still coming in. If you plan on casting your vote by mail — she recommends dropping it off at a ballot drop box if possible to make sure it arrives on time.

"You know, things come up, you can get sick. You could have to go out of town. This is just a good way to make sure that your vote is cast," said Lusker.

Lusker says you can cast your vote from now until noon the day before the election.

Locations open now are the Crawford County Courthouse in Girard and the Labette County Courthouse in Oswego. Other polling locations will open in Pittsburg starting October 22.