A presidential preference primary takes an act by the Kansas legislature to be conducted. The enactment takes the responsibility from the state's two major political parties (Republican and Democratic) in Kansas from conducting a caucus, and instead, having the state of Kansas conduct a primary election.

It is a “preference” primary because it is an election where the vote totals are given to a political party to allocate delegates to candidates at the national convention. This is not a primary where the voters selected the party candidate.

Sample Ballot - Dem

Sample Ballot - Rep

The Republican and Democratic parties in Kansas will have a state-run presidential preference primary election on Tuesday, March 19, 2024.

[K.S.A. 25-4501a(b)]

Not later than sixty days following the presidential preference primary election, the board of county commissioners of each county shall certify to the secretary of state the amount of all necessary direct expenses incurred by the county in conducting the presidential preference primary election. Payment for such expenses shall be made to the county treasurer of the county upon warrants of the director of accounts and reports pursuant to vouchers approved by the secretary of state. Upon receipt of such payment and reimbursements, the county treasurer shall deposit the entire amount thereof in the county election fund, if there is one and if there is not then the county general fund.

Each party must provide the Secretary of State with a certified copy of the party’s rules for allocating and selecting delegates to its national convention on or before January 2, 2024, for publication on the agency website. 

[K.S.A. 25-4507(b)]

Delegates and alternates to a national party convention shall be selected by a party at its state convention, or as otherwise provided by party rules adopted by the committees of the political parties. The number of delegates and the number of alternates to a national party convention shall be determined according to party rules. Delegates and alternates to a national party convention shall be selected in the manner prescribed by party rules. The binding of delegates and alternates to a national party convention shall be determined by party rules.

Republican Convention (Milwaukee, WI) July 15 - 18
Kansas Republican Party Delegate Selection Plan

Democratic Convention (Chicago, IL) August 19 - 22
Kansas Democratic Party Delegate Selection Plan

If there is more than one candidate per party, the secretary of state shall determine by lot the order in which the candidates’ names will appear on the ballot. The order of names, as established by the secretary of state, shall be uniform in each county throughout the state.

[K.S.A. 25-4503(d)]

A voter may vote for a listed candidate or for ‘none of the names shown’. 

A vote for ‘none of the names shown’ shall express the preference for an uncommitted delegation from Kansas to the national convention of that party.

Candidate filing deadline was at 12-noon on Friday, January 19, 2024, 60-days prior to Election Day.

[K.S.A. 25-4502(b)] 

A person may become a candidate for nomination for President by the following:

• File appropriate registration information with the Federal Election Commission
• File a declaration of intention, along with a fee of $10,000 to the Secretary of State.
• Or file a petition signed by at least 5,000 registered voters of the party with the Secretary of State

Filed Candidates for the 2024 Presidential Preference Primary

Deadline to register to vote or change party affiliation is Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 30-days prior to Election Day.

[K.S.A. 25-2311(a)(4)] 

A voter must be affiliated with either the Democratic or Republican party to vote in that party’s presidential preference primary election.

[K.S.A. 25-4502(a)] 

Any registered voter who has not declared a party affiliation prior to the election may make such a declaration at the polling place, and vote in the party's presidential preference primary election.

[K.S.A. 25-4502(a)] 

Deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed is Tuesday, February 20, 2024, 30-days prior to Election Day.

[K.S.A. 25-1122(f)(1)(C)] 

Advance ballots by mail must be transmitted to the voters by Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 20-days prior to Election Day.

[K.S.A. 25-1123(a)(3)] 

Advance ballots by mail must be returned by close of polls at 7:00 pm on Election Day, March 19, 2024.

(There will be no 3-day USPS post-Election Day grace period for mail ballots for this election)

[K.S.A. 25-4503(e)(1)(B)] 

In-person advance voting in Johnson County, Kansas will start on Saturday, March 9, 2024 from 9:00 a.m to 3:00 p.m.

Advance Voting Locations in Johnson County

In-person advance voting must begin no later than 8-days prior to Election Day, and end at 12-Noon on Monday, March 18, 2024 - the day prior to Election Day.

[K.S.A. 25-1122(g)] 

There will be a post-election day audit. Saturday, March 23, 2024 - 9:00 am

[K.S.A. 25-3009(b)(1)(E)] 

The state board of canvassers must meet on or before April 12, 2024, to certify results at both statewide and congressional district and will provide the official results to each state party.

[K.S.A. 25-4506(b)]

Upon completion of the state canvass of the results of the presidential preference primary, the secretary of state shall certify to the state chairperson of each political party participating in the presidential preference primary the number of votes received by each candidate of that party and the number of votes for an uncommitted delegation received by that party.