After weeks of delays created by the statewide legislative redistricting, registered voters in Barton County can now apply for advanced ballots for the Aug. 7 primary election, said Barton County Election officer Donna Zimmerman Monday morning.  
Any registered voter who has declared a party may contact Zimmerman’s office by mail, by phone or in person for an application for an advanced voting ballot. However, anyone requesting an advanced ballot must provide photo identification. Those voting by mail will need to include their drivers license number on their application, Zimmerman said.  
Applications may also be downloaded from the County Clerk’s web site at www.bartoncounty.org/clerk/advvote.htm.   Signed applications may be delivered or mailed to the County Clerk, or faxed to 620-793-1990. Upon receipt of such completed and signed application, the office will provide an advanced ballot for the primary.  
Votes can be case in the clerk’s office until noon on the day preceding the election, in this case, that is Monday, Aug. 6. Ballots will not be counted until election day.
Zimmerman said an elector cannot apply for a ballot for another voter, but there is an exception. 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. In this case, the applicant would also have to sign an Affidavit of Assistance.
All advanced ballots must be delivered to the county election officer before the close of the polls at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 7.
Zimmerman stressed that 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. Advance voting is open to anyone.