Offsite voting is over but in-office advance voting is getting underway Monday for the 2024 primary election.
The Lyon County Clerk’s Office will be open for advance voting from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday until August 5. The start of in-office voting follows the conclusion of the popular offsite voting opportunity which ran from Wednesday to Saturday at the Lyon County Fairgrounds Anderson Building.
According to Lyon County Election Officer Tammy Vopat, the event saw a total turnout of just over 250 people which came in lower than she had expected. Vopat noted that primaries do tend to see a lower voter turnout than general elections, however:
That being said, Vopat is confident there will be a larger turnout for the in-office advance voting especially given the number of retirements and new candidate filings this year.
The primary election is set for Tuesday, August 6 and includes several local and state positions.
The Lyon County Commission will have two primary races. Four Republicans are set to face off in August for the District Three seat set to be vacated by longtime commissioner Rollie Martin. The list includes Chris Bartel, Warren Schmidt, Jarom Smith and Jon Vopat with the winner to face Democrat Bill Niendstedt in the general election.
Lyon County Commission District Two Republican incumbent Doug Peck will face a primary challenge from Sid Morgan. A1 Pump and Jet Owner Ron McCoy has also filed as a Democrat.
At the state level, Kansas 60th District Representative Mark Schreiber of Emporia will face challenger Will Spencer, the owner of Nature’s Paradise, who previously ran for Emporia City Commission last year. The winner is set to face Democrat Mic McGuire in the general election.
In the Kansas Senate, three individuals have filed for the 17th District set to be vacated by longtime Senator Jeff Longbine who announced his retirement earlier this year. On the Republican side, David Schneider, the owner of an insurance claims inspection business, Rising Strategies LLC, will face off with former USD 252 Southern Lyon County Superintendent Mike Argabright.
USD 253 Board President Lillian Lingenfelter is the lone Democrat in the race. For those wishing to vote via mail ballot, requests must be filed no later than July 30.
Mail ballots must be postmarked and returned to the clerk’s office by the Friday following the election to be counted.
