§ 25-2908 — Use of registration book and poll book or registration book at polling place; election board members, duties; name of voter not in book; rules and regulations; valid forms of voter identification; provisional ballots; identification requirements; exempt persons

(a) Each polling place shall use either: (1) A registration book and a poll book, as defined in K.S.A. 25-2507(a) and 25-2507(b)(1), and amendments thereto; or (2) a registration book, as defined in K.S.A. 25-2507(b)(2), and amendments thereto. The county election officer shall determine which books are used in each county, and which book voters shall sign.
(b) A person desiring to vote shall provide to the election board: (1) The voter's name; (2) if required, the voter's address; (3) the voter's signature on the registration or poll book; and (4) a valid form of identification listed in subsection (h). A signature may be made by mark, initials, typewriter, print, stamp, symbol or any other manner if by placing the signature on the document the person intends the signature to be binding. A signature may be made by another person at the voter's direction if the signature reflects such voter's intention.
(c) A member of the election board shall:
(1) Announce the voter's name in a loud and distinct tone of voice, and, if the name is in the registration books, the member of the election board having the registration record shall repeat the name;
(2) request the voter's signature on the registration or poll book;
(3) provide the required signature at the request of and on behalf of any voter who is unable to personally affix a signature by reason of temporary illness or disability, or lack of proficiency in reading the English language;
(4) request a valid form of identification from the voter. If the member of the election board is satisfied that the voter is the person depicted in the identification and that the identification provided is one of the valid forms of identification listed in subsection (h), the member of the election board shall place such member's initials in the space provided and allow the voter to vote;
(5) give the voter one ballot, on the upper right-hand corner of which shall be written the number corresponding to the voter's number in the registration book or poll book; and
(6) mark the voter's name in the registration book and party affiliation list.
(d) If a voter is unable or refuses to provide current and valid identification, the voter may vote a provisional ballot pursuant to K.S.A. 25-409, and amendments thereto. If the voter's name and address do not match the voter's name and address on the registration book or poll book, the voter may vote a provisional ballot according to K.S.A. 25-409, and amendments thereto. The voter shall provide a valid form of identification as defined in subsection (h) to the county election officer in person or provide a copy by mail or electronic means before the meeting of the county board of canvassers. At the meeting of the county board of canvassers the county election officer shall present copies of identification received from provisional voters and the corresponding provisional ballots. If the county board of canvassers determines that a voter's identification is valid and the provisional ballot was properly cast, the ballot shall be counted.
(e) If the name of any person desiring to vote at an election is not in the registration books, an election board member shall print the name and address of the person appearing to vote in the registration book or poll book. The person appearing to vote shall add such person's signature to the registration book or poll book beside such person's printed name, as listed in the registration book or poll book, and the election board judge shall challenge such person's vote pursuant to K.S.A. 25-414, and amendments thereto. During the pendency of a challenge other voters shall be given ballots and be permitted to vote.
(f) A voter who has received an advance voting ballot may vote a provisional ballot on election day at the precinct polling place where the voter resides. If the voter returns the advance voting ballot to a judge or clerk at the precinct polling place, the judge or clerk shall void such advance voting ballot. Any such provisional ballot shall be counted only if the county board of canvassers determines that the provisional ballot was properly cast and the voter has not otherwise voted at such election.
(g) The secretary of state may adopt rules and regulations in order to implement the provisions of this section and define valid forms of identification with greater specificity, however the requirement that a voter must provide a form of identification that complies with subsection (h) may not be altered.
(h) (1) The following forms of identification shall be valid if the identification contains the name and photograph of the voter and has not expired. Expired documents shall be valid if the bearer of the document is 65 years of age or older:
(A) A driver's license issued by Kansas or by another state or district of the United States;
(B) a state identification card issued by Kansas or by another state or district of the United States;
(C) a concealed carry of handgun license issued by Kansas or a concealed carry of handgun or weapon license issued by another state or district of the United States;
(D) a United States passport;
(E) an employee badge issued by a municipal, county, state, or federal government office or agency;
(F) a military identification document issued by the United States;
(G) a student identification card issued by an accredited postsecondary institution of education in the state of Kansas;
(H) a public assistance identification card issued by a municipal, county, state, or federal government office or agency; or
(I) an identification card issued by an Indian tribe.
(2) If the person fails to furnish the identification required by this subsection, the person shall be allowed to vote a provisional ballot. The canvassing board shall determine the validity of the ballot pursuant to K.S.A. 25-3002, and amendments thereto.
(i) The following persons are exempt from the photographic identification document requirements of this section:
(1) Persons with a permanent physical disability that makes it impossible for such persons to travel to a county or state office to obtain a qualifying form of identification and have qualified for permanent advance voting status under K.S.A. 25-1124, and amendments thereto;
(2) members of the uniformed service on active duty who, by reason of such active duty, are absent from the county on election day;
(3) members of the merchant marine who, by reason of service in the merchant marine, are absent from the county on election day;
(4) the spouse or dependent of a member referred to in paragraph (2) or (3), who, by reason of the active duty or service of the member, is absent from the county on election day; and
(5) any voter whose religious beliefs prohibit photographic identification. Any person seeking an exemption under this provision must complete and transmit a declaration concerning such religious beliefs to the county election officer or the Kansas secretary of state. The declaration form shall be available on the official website of the Kansas secretary of state.
(j) "Indian tribe" or "tribe" means any Indian tribe, band, nation or other organized group or community of Indians recognized as eligible for the services provided to Indians by the secretary of the interior because of their status as Indians, including any Alaska native village, as defined in 43 U.S.C. § 1602(c).

Legislative History

L. 1893, ch. 78, § 21; L. 1897, ch. 129, § 21; L. 1901, ch. 177, § 9; R.S. 1923, 25-415; L. 1968, ch. 406, § 101; L. 1982, ch. 155, § 2; L. 1994, ch. 190, § 2; L. 1997, ch. 124, § 6; L. 2003, ch. 112, § 2; L. 2004, ch. 93, § 6; L. 2011, ch. 56, § 11; L. 2012, ch. 122, § 3; L. 2022, ch. 51, § 8; July 1.