Honestly, trying to keep track of election cycles can feel like a full-time job. You've got primaries, general elections, and those weirdly specific deadlines for changing your party affiliation that always seem to sneak up on you. If you were looking at Kansas in 2024, the calendar was packed. It wasn't just about the big presidential race; the state had some serious movement in the legislature and the State Board of Education too.
Basically, 2024 was a year of three major milestones for Kansas voters. We had the Presidential Preference Primary in the spring, the state and local primaries in the heat of August, and then the massive November general election.
The 2024 Kansas Elections Dates You Needed to Know
If you didn't have these circled on your fridge, you likely missed the window to weigh in on who made it to the final dance. The first big date was March 19, 2024. This was the Presidential Preference Primary. Kansas actually brought this back recently to give voters a more direct say in the nominees. Donald Trump and Joe Biden both secured their respective parties' wins here, which wasn't exactly a shocker to anyone paying attention to the polls at the time.
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Then came the "real" primary on August 6, 2024.
This is where the local drama happens. In Kansas, the August primary is often where the actual winner of a seat is determined, especially in districts that lean heavily one way or the other. If you wanted to vote in this one, you had to be registered by July 16. Also, a little quirk of Kansas law—if you wanted to change your party affiliation to vote in a different primary, you had to do that by June 3. They don't let you do that last-minute at the polls anymore.
Finally, we had the General Election on November 5, 2024. This was the big show. Everything was on the ballot: the President, all four U.S. House seats, and every single seat in the Kansas State Senate and House of Representatives.
Why the August Primary Mattered So Much
A lot of people skip the August elections. Big mistake. In 2024, some of the tightest races were decided before we even got to November. Take the State Senate, for example. Because Republicans hold a supermajority in Topeka, the "real" contest is often between different factions of the GOP during the primary.
In District 1, incumbent Dennis Pyle (who ran as an independent for Governor a couple of years back) lost his primary to Craig Bowser. That’s a massive shift for that district. Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, long-time incumbents like Marci Francisco in District 2 had to fending off primary challengers just to make it to the November ballot.
Deadlines and the "Three-Day Rule"
Kansas has some pretty specific rules about mail-in ballots. For the 2024 general election, you had to have your ballot postmarked by November 5 (Election Day). But here’s the catch: it had to arrive at the county election office by the Friday after the election—that’s the "three-day grace period."
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If you were a procrastinator, the deadline to register for that final November vote was October 15, 2024. Secretary of State Scott Schwab was all over the news reminding people that if they moved or changed their name, that was the cutoff.
What Actually Happened in November?
When the dust settled on November 5, Kansas looked... well, mostly like Kansas. Donald Trump took the state’s six electoral votes with about 57% of the vote. It was a comfortable win, though interesting to note that his margin in some of the bigger counties like Johnson County has been shifting over the last few cycles.
Down-ballot, the results were a mix of "status quo" and "close calls."
- U.S. House: All four incumbents kept their jobs. Sharice Davids (the lone Democrat in the delegation) won District 3 again, while Tracey Mann, Derek Schmidt, and Ron Estes held down the fort for the GOP in the other districts.
- The Statehouse: This is where the nerdiest of us were watching. Republicans managed to maintain their supermajority in both the House and the Senate. This is a huge deal because it means they can continue to override vetoes from Governor Laura Kelly.
- State Senate District 5: Talk about a nail-biter. Jeff Klemp (R) ended up winning by a tiny margin—we're talking just a handful of votes—over incumbent Jeff Pittman (D). These are the races that remind you why every single person showing up actually matters.
Turnout Reality Check
Total turnout for the general election was around 63-67% depending on whose final certification you're looking at. That’s pretty standard for a presidential year in Kansas, but it’s a massive jump from the 47% we saw in the 2022 midterms. People definitely felt the stakes were higher this time around.
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Actionable Steps for the Next Cycle
Since 2024 is now in the rearview mirror, the best thing you can do is prep for what’s coming next. Kansas doesn't stay quiet for long.
First, go to KSSOS.org or VoteKansas.gov right now and check your registration. If you've moved houses or even just moved to a different apartment in the same complex, your registration might be invalid. It takes two minutes to fix.
Second, if you hate standing in lines (and who doesn't?), look into the permanent advance voting status. If you have a permanent illness or disability, you can get your ballot mailed to you automatically every single time. For everyone else, you just have to fill out a quick application before each election to vote by mail.
Lastly, keep an eye on your local county clerk. They are the ones who actually run the show, and they usually post the most accurate, up-to-the-minute info on where your specific polling place is. Don't rely on a Google search on the morning of the election—check your county's specific site.