Voters in Great Bend, Hoisington, and Ellinwood can now apply for advanced ballots for the April 5 city general election, said Donna Zimmerman, Barton county clerk and election officer. 

Also, as of Tuesday, March 16, residents can cast advance votes in Zimmerman’s office, on the second floor of the Barton County Courthouse at 1400 Main in Great Bend, until noon Monday, April 4. No voting is done in the office on election day. That’s when balloting will take place the various polling stations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

As for advance ballots, any registered voter may contact Zimmerman’s office either by mail, by phone or in person for an application. However, she said anyone requesting an advanced ballot must provide photo identification. 

A registered voter no longer has to be “sick or disabled” or “out of the county” on the day of the Election in order to vote in advance of the election. 

Applications may also be downloaded from the County Clerk’s web site at bartoncounty.org/clerk/advvote.htm. Signed applications may be delivered or mailed to the office, or faxed to 620-793-1990. 

Upon receipt of a completed and signed application, Zimmerman’s office will provide the voter with their ballot. But, she stressed, an elector cannot apply for a ballot for another voter. 

 An application for an advanced ballot for someone who is sick/disabled/illiterate may be filed during the regular advanced ballot application period until the close of polls on the day of the election. Affidavits of Assistance forms are available to assist another elector in the application and voting processes. 

All advanced ballots must be delivered to the County Election Officer before the polls close, Zimmerman said. Ballots will not be counted until Election Day.

The election includes city councils in Great Bend, Hoisington, Ellinwood, Claflin, Albert, Galatia, Olmitz, Pawnee Rock and Susank, as well as the Ellinwood Hospital District.