Kansas Primary and Delegate Rules
Last reviewed: July 26, 2026. Kansas primary election and presidential delegate rule information is summarized from the source links listed on this page. Confirm final rules, deadlines, and party procedures with the listed official sources.
Quick Answer
- Primary types: Democratic presidential: Closed; Democratic state: Partially Closed; Republican presidential: Closed; Republican state: Partially Closed.
- Consolidated presidential and state primaries: No.
- Democratic delegates: 39 total, 33 pledged, 6 unpledged, 3 alternates.
- Republican delegates: 39 total, 39 pledged, 0 unpledged, 36 alternates.
Kansas Primary Election Types
| Party | Contest | Primary type |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Presidential | Closed |
| Democratic | State | Partially Closed |
| Republican | Presidential | Closed |
| Republican | State | Partially Closed |
Presidential and State Primaries Scheduling
Consolidated Primaries: No
Kansas is one of the states that have not merged their presidential and state primaries. On a Presidential Election year, presidential primaries/caucuses and State primaries are scheduled to run on different dates.
The primary national, state, county and township election are held on the first Tuesday of August in even-numbered years for the nomination of all candidates to be voted for at the next following general election. Presidential Preference Primary election is held on the third Tuesday in March of the Presidential election year.
Voting In Primaries
- Voter registration is required in order to vote in primary elections.
Kansas Presidential Delegate Allocation
The presidential primary process involves selecting delegates who will represent the state at the party's national convention. Delegates selected from the primary elections attend the party's national convention, where they officially nominate the presidential candidate. The candidate with the majority of delegates becomes the party's nominee for the presidential election.
| Party | Total delegate votes | Pledged | Unpledged | Alternates | Allocation method | Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 39 | 33 | 6 | 3 | Proportional | 15% minimum vote required |
| Republican Party | 39 | 39 | 0 | 36 | Winner-Take-All | Not specified |
Democratic Party Primary Delegates Process
Democratic Party's Delegates Allocation
In 2024, Kansas' Democratic party will send a total of 39 Delegate Votes and 3 Alternate Delegates to the DNC national convention. Of the 39 delegate votes, 33 Pledged Delegate Votes (22 District-level delegates, 7 At-Large, and 4 PLEOs) and 6 Automatic Delegate Votes. The party will use a proportional representation system based on the results of the Presidential Primary Election for apportioning pledged delegates to the Democratic National Convention. Kansas will send a delegation of 39 delegates and three (3) alternates to the 2024 Democratic National Convention. Thirty-three (33) of the 39 delegates are pledged delegates. In addition, Kansas will send three (3) convention pages and three (3) standing committee members to next summer’s Democratic convention.
Who Is Eligible To Be A Delegate?
- Any individual who will have turned 18 by the date of the general election will be allowed to run as a delegate in the delegate selection process. However, under Kansas law voters must be at least eighteen (18) years of age on the date of the primary election in order to vote in the primary election held on March 19, 2024.
Presidential Candidates Ballot Access
- A presidential candidate gains access to the State presidential preference primary ballot if:
- The candidate has filed the appropriate registration information with the federal election commission to become a candidate for president of the United States; and
- The candidate files A declaration of intent to become a candidate accompanied by a fee of $10,000 - must file with that Kansas Secretary of State no later than January 19, 2024; or
- The candidate files a petition in the form prescribed by Kansas Statutes Annotated 25-205, and amendment thereto, signed by not less than 5,000 registered electors, who are registered as affiliated with the Democratic Party. The Secretary of State will determine the sufficiency of each such petition, and such determination will be final.- must file with that Kansas Secretary of State no later than January 19, 2024.
Delegates Breakdown
- District-level Delegates: 22
- At-large Delegates: 7
- Pledged PLEOs Delegates: 4
- Automatic Delegates - Unpledged PLEOs: 6
- Alternate Delegates: 3
Automatic Delegates (Unpledged PLEOs - Super Delegates) Breakdown
- DNC Members: 4
- Dem. Members of Congress: 1
- Dem. Governors: 1
- Distinguished Party Leaders: 0
Republican Party Primary Delegates Process
Republican Party's Delegates Allocation
The Kansas Republican Party has been allocated a total of 39 delegates (12 District-level delegates, 24 At-Large, and 3 RNC delegates). and 36 alternate delegates for the National Convention. The party's presidential candidate receiving the highest number of statewide votes (Winner-Take-All system) at the presidential preference primary shall be awarded all thirty-nine (39) delegates to the Republican National Convention, including the delegate votes of the national committee members and the State Party Chair.
Who Is Eligible To Be A Delegate?
- Any registered Kansas Republican is eligible to be selected as a delegate or alternate delegate. You can submit a self-nomination form. Delegate self-nomination forms will be made available to all registered Republicans from the State Party Headquarters no later than November 30, 2023, and must be received by the offices of the Kansas Republican Party no later than 5 p.m. CST, on April 26, 2024.
Presidential Candidates Ballot Access
- A Republican Presidential candidate must file the appropriate registration information with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to become a candidate for President; and
- File,with the Kansas Secretary of State no later than 12 p.m. CST on Friday January 19 2024, A declaration of intent to become a candidate filed by the candidate, or an official designated representative of the candidate’s campaign, and accompanied by a fee of $10,000; or
- File,with the Kansas Secretary of State no later than 12 p.m. CST on Friday January 19 2024,A petition in the form prescribed by continuing law, signed by not less than 5,000 registered electors, who are affiliated with the political party of such candidate as shown by the party affiliation list. The Secretary of State would determine the sufficiency of each petition, and the determination would be final.
Delegates Breakdown
- District-level Delegates: 12
- At-large Delegates: 24
- RNC Delegates: 3
- Alternate Delegates: 36
About These Rules
This page contains primary election rules and presidential primary delegate allocation information for states and U.S. territories.
Primary voting rules and delegate allocation usually apply to statewide partisan primary elections. Check with your local election office for current guidance because rules, dates, and party procedures can change.Sources and Related Election Pages
The information provided on this page was validated using the following resources: