In the upcoming 2024 election, Republican former President Donald Trump is aiming to secure Kansas and its six electoral votes for the third consecutive presidential election. He will be running against Vice President Kamala Harris, who faces a tough challenge in a state that has not supported a Democratic presidential candidate in 60 years. Kansas is currently dominated by Republicans, with the party holding both U.S. Senate seats and three out of the four U.S. House seats. However, a few Democratic governors have been elected in recent years, including the current two-term Governor Laura Kelly, who is not up for re-election this year.
Despite the overwhelming Republican victories in Kansas, Democrats have a chance to break the GOP supermajority in the state Legislature by flipping a few seats in either the state Senate or state House. All 40 state Senate seats and 125 state House seats are up for election in November. Additionally, voters will also determine several races for the State Board of Education, with three out of the five races being open seats. The AP does not make projections and will only declare a winner when there is no scenario that allows trailing candidates to close the gap.
Election Day in Kansas is set for Nov. 5, with polls closing at varying times due to two different time zones in the state. The presidential electoral votes amount to six, and aside from the race between Harris and Trump, other candidates include Chase Oliver from the Libertarian party and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. running as an independent. Apart from the presidential race, voters will also decide on key races such as U.S. House, state Senate, state House, and the state Board of Education. Voter registration data shows a significant Republican presence, with about 45% of registered voters identifying as Republicans.
In terms of voter turnout, about 71% of registered voters participated in the 2020 presidential election in Kansas, with a majority of votes being cast before Election Day. The vote-counting process typically starts early on Election Day, with results being reported throughout the evening. The AP will continue to cover any significant developments in the election, such as candidate concessions or declarations of victory, until a definitive winner is declared. The upcoming election in Kansas is poised to be a closely watched event, with both parties vying for key seats in the state Legislature and other important races.
