The cost of running the March presidential primary was $2.78 million. Only 9% of registered Kansans participated in the presidential primary. Saline County had a slightly higher turnout at 11.95%.
According to the Kansas Secretary of State's office, Kansas voters went to the polls on March 19 to express their choice for the Republican and Democratic presidential nominations. Former President Donald J. Trump and President Joe Biden won their respective parties' primary elections in Kansas, and the results were sent to state party officials. Each party received the results and selected them as delegates to their national party conventions, a process outlined in the state party's delegate plan.
In 2023, the Legislature approved $4.7 million in state funding for the primary election, which will be only the third such election since 1980. Counties were reimbursed for direct costs associated with the election.
The final cost of the primary was lower than the initial estimate presented to the Legislature last year due to a variety of factors, including low voter turnout: Only 9% of registered Republican and Democratic voters participated in the primary.
Schwab said the primary is a good opportunity for the new elections director, who will be running three elections in 2024. The county office is preparing for the Aug. 6 primary followed by the Nov. 5 general election.
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For more information about Kansas elections, visit VoteKansas.gov.
