Here’s why Johnson County Election Office says it closed some early voting sites

Despite some local leaders sharing concerns about voters losing early voting access, the Johnson County Election Office is moving forward with changes to advance voting locations, including several closures, for the August primary election.

In May, Election Commissioner Connie Schmidt notified the Johnson County Board of Commissioners that the Election Office plans to close eight advance voting locations throughout the county, but will add two new locations in rapidly growing Spring Hill and De Soto.

The changes came as part of the Election’s Office hoped to make a more consistent advance voting experience for folks looking to cast their ballot early, according to a June press release from the office.

The closures shrink the countywide advanced voting location network from 18 to 12 voting sites — alarming some Johnson County and city officials and the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas. They’re concerned that the changes would make it harder for people to cast their ballots.

The proposed closures:

• Central Resource Library: 9875 W. 87th St. in Overland Park
• Oak Park Library: 9500 Bluejacket St. in Overland Park
• Leawood City Hall: 4800 Town Center Dr.
• Tomahawk Ridge Community Center: 11902 Lowell Ave. in Overland Park
• Johnson County Community College Midwest Trust Center: 12345 College Blvd. in Overland Park
• Westwood City Hall: 4700 Rainbow Blvd.
• Olathe Downtown Library: 260 E. Santa Fe St.
• Johnson County Sunset Offices: 11811 S Sunset Dr. in Olathe

According to the press release, the Election Office said these changes instead use a “core group of locations” with high traffic, where more than 80% of voters historically have cast their ballots. During review of early voting locations, the Election Office said it found that the majority of the early voting locations served “overlapping voter populations,” primarily in central and northeastern Johnson County.

“As a result, the existing model did not provide the same level of access to voting services for voters throughout the county,” the press release said. “The review identified opportunities to better distribute locations across the county and improve access for all voters.”

County Pushback

Following the election office’s decision to close eight advance voting locations, Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chair Mike Kelly wrote a letter to Schmidt, expressing concern that the closures could negatively impact nearly 460,000 registered voters and make it harder for some residents to vote.

He said county election officials had the money to keep 18 locations open.

“While we cannot compel a reversal, we control the budget and the resources are there,” Kelly said in a follow-up statement to The Star. “The Board funded all 18 locations within the 2026 budget and that funding remains available. If Commissioner Schmidt brings us a plan, we will give it serious consideration.”

Kelly said that he hasn’t heard back from the election office since he wrote the letter.

Following Kelly’s letter, the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas wrote to Schmidt to push for the locations to stay open. Micah Kubic, the ACLU’s Executive Director, said in a statement that for many voters — especially those who work multiple jobs, rely on public transportation or have child care responsibilities — early voting is the only way for them to cast a ballot.

Some locations, particularly near Oak Park and Central Resource Library, were near more households with lower incomes that may face challenges that could make it difficult to get to other locations.

While he commended Schmidt for her work, he worried that fewer people may be able to vote.

The 2026 locations and times

Along with selecting a core group of voting locations, the election office said it also made sure that all locations opened on the same dates and at the same times.

“Locations have opened on different dates, remained open for different lengths of time, operated under different schedules, and have not been open consistently from election to election, causing confusion for voters and making public communication and awareness difficult,” the press release said.

Under the 2026 plan, each location will be open for a two-week early voting period and operate from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day, and every location will be open the Monday before Election Day from 8 a.m. until noon.

“Voters can now be confident that every early voting location will be open on the same days, at the same times, throughout the early voting period,” the press release said.

The 2026 Advance Voting Locations:

• Johnson County Election Office: 2101 E. Kansas City Rd. in Olathe
• Johnson County Northeast Offices: 6000 Lamar Ave., Ste. 200, in Mission
• Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center: 8788 Metcalf Ave., in Overland Park
• Johnson County Monticello Library: 22435 W. 66th St. in Shawnee
• Johnson County Lenexa City Center Library: 8778 Penrose Ln.
• Johnson County New Century Fieldhouse: 551 New Century Pkwy., in New Century
• Olathe Indian Creek Library: 16100 W. 135th St.
• Hilltop Conference Center: 7700 W. 143rd St. in Overland Park
• Overland Park Arboretum Longhouse: 8909 W 179th St.
• De Soto Community Center: 32905 W. 84th St.
• Spring Hill Civic Center: 401 N. Madison St.