Get Ready to Vote

Posted on by Lissa Staley

As the 2019 local elections gets closer, there are a few things you can do to prepare to vote.

Find out if you’re registered and get registered if you’re not

  • You’ll need to check your registration status. It is as simple as putting in your first and last name and your date of birth.
  • If you realize you are not registered, don’t worry that is simple too! You can register at the library’s Customer Service Desk or one of many other locations in Topeka and Shawnee County, or register online.
    • NOTE: You must re-register if you change your name, address or if you want to change your party affiliation.
  • The registration deadline is Mon, Oct 15, 2019.

The Shawnee County Election Office hosts Voter Registration Events in the rotunda of the library.

  • Fri, Sept 27 | 9am –5:45pm
  • Sat, Sept 28 | 9am – 5:45pm
  • Sun, Sept 29 | Noon-5:45pm
  • Fri, Oct 11 | 9am – 5:45pm
  • Sat, Oct 12 | 9am – 5:45pm
  • Sun, Oct 13 | Noon-5:45pm

Get a photo ID

  • Kansas law requires a photo ID when voting to identify you at your polling place.
  • Forms of ID accepted include:
    • driver’s license
    • non-driver ID
    • U.S. passport
    • college/university ID from a Kansas school
  • If you do not have an ID, you will need to get one. The Kansas Department of Revenue allows registered voters to be issued a free photo ID for voting. There are a few steps you need to take and documents you must present to do this.

Find your polling place

  • You’ll want to make sure you are going to the correct polling place. You can find your polling place by searching with either your name or your address.
    • Closer to the election date, there will also be an option to view a sample of the ballot that will appear at your polling place.
  • Cast your ballot on Tuesday, November 5, 2019!

Election related entertainment

Check out these fictional books and movies that might help you get in the election mood.

View complete list

Lissa Staley helps people use the library. She is a Book Evangelist, Trivia Emcee, Classics Made Modern book discussion leader, NaNoWriMo Municipal Liaison, and frequent library customer. She loves her kids, being a librarian, living in Topeka, and helping people form connections and community. (She's the Community Connections Librarian!) She reads a new book every few days, but is enjoying the audiobook of "Empress of Forever" by Max Gladstone, the ebook "When We Were Magic" by Sarah Gailey and is eagerly awaiting John Scalzi's "The Last Emperox" in April!