Lawrence events this weekend aim to get out the vote

If somebody honks at you downtown Saturday afternoon, it’s (hopefully) just a friendly reminder to get to the polls on or before Aug. 2.

James Minor, political action co-chair of the Lawrence Branch NAACP, said members will be meeting at 1 p.m. Saturday at the train depot in North Lawrence, then driving through downtown honking their horns to remind folks to vote.

The big question on the Aug. 2 ballot — which is for all voters, including those who are not affiliated with a party — is a constitutional amendment that would give the Kansas Legislature the power to ban abortion in the state. (Read more about that here, and find out what else is on the ballot here.)

Another “Lawrence VOTE NO March” is planned for 10 a.m. Saturday at South Park.

Along the same lines, a couple of other themed events aim to raise awareness and get folks to the ballot box:

Mi Cuerpo Mi Decisión:

Join Rep. Christina Haswood for a rally y bailé from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 29 at South Park. There will be food and art vendors, music, speakers and yard games, according to the Facebook event page. Those who attend should bring cash to purchase items from the vendors.

En español: “¡Mi cuerpo, mi decisión! Este viernes en South Park tendremos una reunión y bailé antes de la elección del 2 de agosto en cual votantes podrán contra una enmienda que podría prohibir el aborto. Habrá vendedores de comida y arte, música, comida y juegos de jardín. Traiga efectivo para comprar de los vendedores.”

Ponies to the Polls Canvass & Jamboree!:

Organizers with Vote Neigh are partnering with Kansans for Constitutional Freedom to get folks together to canvass voters statewide all weekend.

In Lawrence, canvass shifts are available starting at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 30, followed by 1-4 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. shifts. Those who are interested can sign up at this link. See other events around the state on Vote Neigh’s website at this link.

A concert set for 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday at the White School House, 1510 N. Third St., promises to be the “biggest hoedown on this side of the Mississippi” and encourages attendees to “bring the whole herd.” Performers will include Harper K, Khan, Lyle Griggs, and Tillie, according to the event flyer.

Cast your ballot

It’s too late to request a ballot by mail for the Aug. 2 election, but there are still several opportunities to vote in person. If you received an advance ballot, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day to be counted. Douglas County does not require a stamp to mail your ballot back.

You can also drop your advance ballot in a dropbox at one of the following locations: outside the Douglas County Courthouse, 1100 Massachusetts St.; at the county elections office at 23rd and Louisiana; at Eudora, Lecompton and Baldwin city halls; at the Golf Course Superintendents Building or at Flory Meeting Hall.

Those who use mail-in ballots have the option of using the county’s tracking system, Ballot Scout, to receive text and email updates letting voters know where their ballot is in the mail stream, and confirmation once it has been accepted.

Remaining times to vote in person:

You will need to bring a state-issued ID (such as a driver’s license) to vote in person early or on Election Day.

• 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays through Friday, July 29 at the Douglas County Elections Office, 711 W. 23rd St., Suite 1, in Lawrence (click here for a Google map)

• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 30 at the elections office in Lawrence and at Lecompton City Hall, Eudora City Hall, or the Baldwin City Fire Station

• 8 a.m. to noon Monday, Aug. 1: Last chance to vote early at the elections office before polls reopen for Election Day (note the shortened hours, as required by state law).

Election Day: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2, and voters should report to their assigned polling place. As long as you are in line to vote by 7 p.m., you will be given the opportunity to vote.

All registered Kansas voters can check which districts they’re in and find their assigned polling places by inputting their name and date of birth at this link on the Secretary of State’s website.

More Douglas County voting information is available at this link.

More coverage: August 2 Election

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