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Advanced Voting

In Person

Kansas allows voter to advance vote in person at county election offices or satellite voting locations up to 20 days before an election. In person dates will be announced on the election calendar for each election.

By Mail

Voters are allowed to vote by mail prior to election day. In order to do so, you must complete an application for an advance ballot and include your driver's licene number or a copy of your photo identification. The deadline to submit advance voting applications to the county election official is July 30 for the 2024 primary election and October 29 for the 2024 general election. Ballots will be mailed to those who apply beginning July 17 for the 2024 primary election and October 16 for the 2024 general election. All ballots MUST be postmarked on or before election day and received in the county election office by the close of business on teh third business day following the election. 

• Advance Voting Application
• Permanent Advance Voting Application

Election Day Voting

The polling location is the location where voters go to vote on Election Day. It is equipped with private voting booths, voting materials, and voting assistance items. Polling locations are staffed with poll workers who can assist you with the voting process. The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. 

Find your polling place and what's on your ballot here.

Photo ID

Requirements

State law requires Kansas voters to show photographic identification when casting a vote in person. The following docuements may be used to meet photo ID requirements for voting:

• Driver's license or ID card issued by Kansas or another state
• U.S. Passport
• U.S. Military ID
• ID card issued by a Native American tribe
• Employee badge or ID issued by a government office
• Student ID card from an accredited postsecondary education institution in Kansas
• Concealed carry license issued by Kansas or another state
• Public assistance ID card issued by a government office

Exemptions from photo ID requirements exist for: permanent advance voters (voters with illness or disabilities); military and overseas voters and their spouses and dependents; and voter with religious objections who sign a Declaration of Religious Objection (Form DRO). Voters age 65 or older may use an expired photo ID.

 

 

 

 

Lincoln County Kansas has seven Volunteer Fire Departments and one Volunteer Rescue that respond to multiple types of emergencies covering over 720 square miles.

1. Barnard Rural Fire Department- Chief Dalton Wirth
2. Beverly Rural Fire Department- Chief Jon Alquist
3. Denmark Rural Fire Department- Chief Ron Nelson
4. Hunter Rural Fire Department- Chief Brad Nitsch
5. Lincoln County Rescue- Chief Greg Babcock
6. Lincoln County 1^st Rural Fire Department- Chief Jarrod Heinze
7. Sylvan Grove Rural Fire Department- Chief Mark Lovin
8. Westfall Rural Fire Department- Chief Dennis Ray

 

Mission & Vision

All Lincoln County Volunteer Fire Departments are committed to public safety and dedicated to the communities they serve. Our Firefighters respond to all fires, all hazards, and rescues; to save lives, property, and the environment.

All Lincoln County Fire Departments strive to meet the changing needs of our community. We achieve our mission by maintaining a high level of readiness and focusing on the professional development and training of all our personnel. 

 

 

Lincoln County, Kansas, has adopted Resolution No. 2023-17, which is in accordance with federal and state regulations, including 44 CFR § 60.3(b), K.S.A. 12-766, and K.A.R. 5-44-1 through 5-44-7.

 

Below is a summary of the key points in this resolution:

ARTICLE 1: STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION, FINDINGS OF FACT, AND PURPOSES

SECTION A: STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION

1. The floodplain management regulations were approved in draft form by the Chief Engineer of the Division of Water Resources of the Kansas Department of Agriculture on October 31st, 2023.
2. Kansas Statutory Authorization delegates the responsibility to local governmental units to adopt floodplain management regulations to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the public.

SECTION B: FINDINGS OF FACT

1. The special flood hazard areas in Lincoln County, Kansas, experience periodic inundation, leading to loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and services, public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and tax base impairment, all negatively impacting public health, safety, and welfare.
2. These flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of development in floodplains and the occupation of flood hazard areas by uses vulnerable to floods or inadequately protected.

SECTION C: STATEMENT OF PURPOSE The resolution aims to:

1. Restrict or prohibit uses that pose risks to health, safety, or property during flooding or that increase flood heights and velocities.
2. Require flood-vulnerable uses, including public facilities, to have flood protection during initial construction.
3. Protect individuals from purchasing lands unsuitable for development due to flood hazards.

This resolution serves to promote public health, safety, and welfare, minimize flood-related losses, maintain eligibility for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and comply with federal and state regulations related to floodplain management.

ARTICLE 2: GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION A: LANDS TO WHICH RESOLUTION APPLIES This resolution applies to all lands within Lincoln County, Kansas, designated as unnumbered A Zones on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panels referenced in the associated FIRM Index as of December 21, 2023, and any future revisions. Development in these areas requires a floodplain development permit from the Board of County Commissioners, subject to specified safeguards and restrictions.

SECTION B: COMPLIANCE Any development within special flood hazard areas must fully comply with the terms of this resolution and other relevant regulations.

SECTION C: ABROGATION AND GREATER RESTRICTIONS While existing easements, covenants, or deed restrictions are not affected by this resolution, it prevails in cases where it imposes stricter restrictions. Inconsistent resolutions are repealed to the extent of the inconsistency.

SECTION D: INTERPRETATION The provisions of this resolution are considered minimum requirements, to be interpreted liberally in favor of the governing body. They do not limit or repeal any other powers granted by Kansas statutes.

SECTION E: WARNING AND DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY This resolution sets reasonable flood protection standards based on engineering and scientific methods but acknowledges that larger floods or flood height variations may occur due to natural or human factors. It does not create liability for Lincoln County, its officers, or employees for flood damages resulting from reliance on this resolution or lawful administrative decisions.

SECTION F: SEVERABILITY If any part of this resolution is found unconstitutional or invalid by a court of appropriate jurisdiction, the remainder of the resolution remains unaffected.

ARTICLE 3: ADMINISTRATION

SECTION A: FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT PERMIT A floodplain development permit is required for all construction and development activities, including placing manufactured or mobile homes, within the areas defined in Article 2, Section A. No development can commence without obtaining a separate floodplain development permit for each structure or development.

SECTION B: DESIGNATION OF FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATOR The Lincoln County Emergency Manager is appointed as the Floodplain Administrator responsible for administering and implementing this resolution.

SECTION C: DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATOR The Floodplain Administrator's responsibilities include:

1. Reviewing permit applications to ensure sites are reasonably safe from flooding and compliance with this resolution.
2. Checking if necessary permits from federal, state, or local agencies have been obtained for proposed development.
3. Evaluating subdivision proposals and new development to assess flood safety.
4. Issuing floodplain development permits for approved applications.
5. Notifying neighboring communities and the Division of Water Resources about watercourse alterations and providing evidence to FEMA.
6. Ensuring flood-carrying capacity is maintained in altered or relocated watercourses.
7. Verifying and recording the elevation of the lowest floor (including basements) of new or substantially improved structures.
8. Verifying and recording the floodproofing elevation for new or substantially improved non-residential structures and requiring certification from a registered professional engineer or architect when floodproofing is used.

SECTION D: APPLICATION FOR FLOODPLAIN DEVELOPMENT PERMIT To obtain a floodplain development permit, applicants must:

1. Describe the land, specifying its location and the proposed work.
2. Detail the intended use or occupancy of the development.
3. Provide information about assessed value and fair market value.
4. Identify existing base flood elevation and proposed development elevation.
5. Furnish any other information required by the Floodplain Administrator.
6. Include plans and specifications for the construction.
7. Have the application signed by the permittee or their authorized agent with evidence of authority.

ARTICLE 4: PROVISIONS FOR FLOOD HAZARD REDUCTION

SECTION A: GENERAL STANDARDS

1. Floodplain development permits for new construction, substantial improvements, and other improvements within unnumbered A zones are subject to specific conditions outlined in this section.
2. Areas designated as unnumbered A zones are at risk of the one percent annual chance or 100-year flood, but base flood elevation data is not provided. Development in these areas must adhere to this resolution. If Flood Insurance Study data is unavailable, the community must use available base flood elevation or floodway data from federal, state, or other sources.
3. New construction, subdivisions, substantial improvements, prefabricated structures, manufactured or mobile homes, and other developments require measures to prevent flood damage, including adequate anchorage, flood-resistant materials, flood damage minimization methods, protection of utilities from flooding, and compliance with drainage and base flood elevation requirements.
4. Storage of material or equipment may be allowed if secure against flood damage or easily removable upon flood warning.
5. Nonconforming use may continue under certain conditions, including adherence to floodplain management requirements and limitations on reconstruction costs.
6. Accessory structures used solely for parking and limited storage, below 600 square feet, may be constructed at-grade and wet-floodproofed if certain conditions are met, with individual permits based on case-by-case analysis.
7. Agricultural structures connected to agricultural production may be constructed at-grade and wet-floodproofed under specified conditions.
8. Hazardous material storage and handling sites must be located outside special flood hazard areas.
9. Critical nonresidential facilities must be elevated or floodproofed and have access routes above the 500-year flood level.

SECTION B: SPECIFIC STANDARDS

1. Residential construction in special flood hazard areas must have the lowest floor elevated at least one foot above base flood elevation.
2. Nonresidential construction in special flood hazard areas must have the lowest floor elevated one foot above base flood elevation or be floodproofed.
3. Enclosed areas below the lowest floor for parking, building access, or storage must have openings to equalize flood forces.
4. Floodway provisions include criteria for designated floodways, and no encroachments are allowed in designated regulatory floodways.

SECTION C: MANUFACTURED or MOBILE HOMES

1. Manufactured or mobile homes in special flood hazard areas must be installed using methods to minimize flood damage, including elevation and anchorage.
2. Manufactured or mobile homes in unnumbered A zones outside of manufactured home parks or subdivisions must be elevated at least one foot above base flood elevation and securely anchored.
3. Manufactured or mobile homes in existing manufactured home parks or subdivisions in unnumbered A zones must be elevated one foot above base flood elevation.

SECTION D: RECREATIONAL VEHICLES Recreational vehicles placed in unnumbered A zones must meet specific criteria or be on-site for fewer than 180 consecutive days or fully licensed and ready for highway use.

ARTICLE 5 FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT VARIANCE PROCEDURES

Section A: Establishment of Appeal Board

• The Lincoln County Board of Commissioners serves as the Appeal Board for appeals and variance requests from floodplain management requirements.

Section B: Responsibility of Appeal Board

• The Appeal Board hears appeals when there are alleged errors in the decisions made by the Floodplain Administrator.

Section C: Further Appeals

• Individuals dissatisfied with the Appeal Board's decision can appeal to the District Court as provided by state law.

Section D: Floodplain Management Variance Criteria

• The Appeal Board considers various criteria when assessing applications for variances, including factors like the danger to life and property due to flooding, necessity, and compatibility with community plans.

Section E: Conditions for Approving Floodplain Management Variances

• Variances may be granted for structures in certain circumstances, provided they meet specific criteria, such as demonstrating no other suitable location, not increasing flood risks, and being of low damage potential.

Section F: Conditions for Approving Variances for Agricultural Structures

• Agricultural structure variances must meet specific conditions, including the requirement that the structure is located in wide floodplain areas with no alternative locations, does not pose risks to public safety, and has low damage potential.

Section G: Conditions for Approving Temporary Structures

• Temporary structures may be allowed within flood hazard areas if certain conditions are met, including an approved removal plan, compliance with the permit's terms, and provision of a "no-rise" certificate for structures in the regulatory floodway.

These provisions establish the process for seeking variances and the criteria that must be met when considering variances related to floodplain management in Lincoln County.

ARTICLE 6: Violations

1. The floodplain administrator has the authority to enter properties in Lincoln County for inspections related to compliance with floodplain regulations. Prior notice will be given to the property owner or their agent, and if they cannot be found, a notice will be posted at least five days before entry.
2. Structures or developments lacking a floodplain development permit or proof of compliance are considered in violation until documentation is provided.
3. Violations will be communicated to the property owner or their agent through written notices, including instructions and deadlines for requesting a hearing or correcting the violation.
4. Violating this resolution, including conditions and safeguards related to variances, is a misdemeanor, resulting in fines up to $500. Additionally, the violator must cover all related costs. Legal action may be taken by Lincoln County or other authorities to rectify violations.
5. Apart from criminal prosecution, the county may seek civil injunctive orders to compel the removal of structures in violation. Failure to comply can lead to the county removing the structure and pursuing a civil judgment for abatement costs.

ARTICLE 7: AMENDMENTS

• This resolution's regulations, boundaries, and restrictions may be amended to align with changes in the National Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973. Any such changes require a public hearing where interested parties and citizens can express their views. Notice of the hearing is published in a local newspaper, with at least 20 days between publication and the hearing. Amendments will be shared with the FEMA Region VII office to ensure compliance with NFIP regulations.

ARTICLE 8: DEFINITIONS

This section provides definitions for terms used in the resolution related to floodplain management. Some key definitions include:

• 100-year Flood: Also known as the "base flood," this is a flood that has a one percent chance of occurring in any given year.
• Accessory Structure: A structure on the same property as the principal structure, used incidentally to the principal structure's use.
• Administrator: Refers to the Federal Insurance Administrator.
• Agency: Refers to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
• Floodplain: Land susceptible to inundation by water from various sources, including overflow of inland waters, rapid runoff of surface waters, or land subsidence near bodies of water.
• Floodplain Management: A program of measures aimed at reducing flood damage, including emergency preparedness plans, flood control works, and regulations.
• Floodway: The channel of a river or watercourse, along with adjacent land areas, required to discharge the base flood without significantly raising water levels.
• Freeboard: An additional height above the base flood level used for floodplain management to account for uncertainties and unforeseen factors.
• Historic Structure: A structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places or certified as contributing to the historical significance of a registered historic district.
• Substantial Damage: Damage to a structure where the cost of restoration equals or exceeds 50 percent of its pre-damage market value.
• Variance: Relief granted by the community from floodplain management regulations.
• Water Surface Elevation: The height of floodwaters in relation to a specific vertical datum.Top of Form

 

For a more detailed list of definitions, please refer to the unabridged Floodplain Resolution below.

 

Lincoln County KS Floodplain Resolution 2023-17

 

 

Bylaws of the Lincoln County Local Emergency Planning Committee

ARTICLE I. MISSION

SECTION 1: The mission of the LEPC shall be to fulfill the requirements of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, commonly known as SARA Title III, and to fulfill the requirement for county departments or planning partners that must maintain an emergency preparedness planning committee.

ARTICLE II - ORGANIZATION

SECTION 1: The official name of the committee shall be: Lincoln County Emergency Planning Committee

SECTION 2: The mailing address shall be: 216 East Lincoln Avenue, Lincoln, Kansas 67455

SECTION 3: The telephone number shall be: 785-524-4479; Fax 785-524-4108

SECTION 4: Subcommittees will be, but are not limited to, the following:

• Chemical Issues
• Volunteer Issues
• Public Health Issues
• Communication Issues
• Training

SECTION 5: Accurate minutes of all meetings of the LEPC shall be kept in a journal of the LEPC, which shall be maintained for such purpose. Accurate minutes shall include, but are not limited to, a record of all votes of the LEPC, a record of attendance at meetings, and a summary of LEPC discussions.

ARTICLE III. OFFICERS

SECTION 1: The Officers of the LEPC shall be a chairperson (hereafter referred to as Chair), a Vice Chairperson (hereafter referred to as Vice Chair), and a Secretary

SECTION 2: The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the LEPC and shall be responsible for preserving order and decorum. Except as otherwise authorized by the bylaws or by resolution of the LEPC, the Chair shall sign or delegate the Vice-Chair the authority to sign all official documents of the LEPC.

SECTION 3: The Vice-chair shall perform the duties of the chair in the absence or incapacitation of the Chair. In case of the resignation or death of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall perform such duties as are imposed on the Chair until such time as the LEPC shall elect a new Chair. The Vice-Chair shall ensure that any information gathered by the LEPC or submitted pursuant to requirements established by law or by the LEPC is stored at the office of the LEPC at the address provided in Article II, Section 2.

SECTION 4: The Secretary shall be the recorder and shall maintain the Journal of the LEPC unless otherwise specified by the Chair. The Secretary shall ensure that accurate minutes of the meetings of the LEPC are kept and distributed in the manner described by Article II, Section 5.

SECTION 5: The Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary shall be elected from the appointed membership at the last meeting of the fiscal year. A representative of the LEPC, agreed upon by a majority of the appointed membership, shall report to the Lincoln County Commissioners at the first commissioner meeting following the elections and present the names of the newly elected officials for an appointment.

Duties will be assumed January 1, following, and continue for one (1) year.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1: Members shall be appointed to maintain group or organizational representation as listed in Section 301(c) of the Title III Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA). Those groups or organizations shall include, but are not limited to:

• Federal, state, and local officials
• Fire Departments
• Law Enforcement
• Health and medical facilities/agencies
• Emergency Management
• News media
• Local businesses and industry
• Facilities with reportable quantities if extremely hazardous materials

SECTION 2: To remain an appointed member of the LEPC, each member shall participate in LEPC activities. Any member not attending a meeting within a 12-month period will be removed from the appointed member list. Elected officers of the LEPC who fail to attend at least fifty percent (50 %) of LEPC meetings will be replaced at the next annual election held during the last meeting of each fiscal year.

SECTION 3: The Lincoln County Emergency Manager shall serve as the Coordinator of Information as listed in Section 301(c) of the Title III of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA).

SECTION 4: Application for membership may be made at any time upon approval by the LEPC, the name of the individual making the application shall be submitted to the Lincoln County Commissioners and the Commission on Emergency Planning and Response (CEPR), respectively, for an appointment.

SECTION 5: Upon appointment to the LEPC, members may be assigned to one of the subcommittees (see Article II, Section 4). The assignment will be made according to that member's affiliation.

SECTION 6: Assignment to a subcommittee (see Article II, Section 4) and other subcommittee duties (see Article V, Section 3) will be the responsibility of the Chair.

SECTION 7: Each voting member may designate one (1) alternate who will be eligible for all the rights and privileges of the voting member during the absence of the official voting member. Written notification, including the name and credentials of the alternate, must be made to the Secretary of the LEPC for approval by the Chair. Notification may be made up to fifteen (15) minutes prior to the beginning of the meeting.

SECTION 8: A membership list shall be submitted annually and as changes occur to the Lincoln County Commissioners and CERP as a matter of record. The membership list shall indicate voting members and the elected officers of the LEPC for the current LEPC fiscal year.

SECTION 9: Should there be more than one (1) person nominated for each elected position, the method of election shall be by closed ballot. The person receiving the majority of votes from the voting members present shall be duly elected.

SECTION 10: Members can withdraw from participation in the LEPC whenever they wish. Notification of withdrawal should be made to the Chair.

SECTION 11: Should a vacancy occur on the LEPC, it may be filled by a person recommended for appointment by the Lincoln County Commissioners and CEPR. If the vacancy is a position held by a representative of a facility/organization mandated by SARA Title III, an alternate representative should be identified immediately and presented to the Lincoln County Commissioners and CEPR for appointment to the LEPC. Should it be deemed necessary to add new members to the LEPC, the procedure shall be the same as for filling vacancies.

ARTICLE V - MEETINGS

SECTION 1: Regular meetings of the LEPC shall be, at a minimum, four (4) times a year.

SECTION 2: All regular or special meetings shall be held at a pre-designated place and time. All members will be notified of such meetings at least seven (7) days in advance. 

SECTION 3: Subcommittees (see Article II, Section 4) may meet at a time and place of their choosing without notification to the LEPC as a whole.

SECTION 4: A simple majority of the appointed membership shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of opening a meeting.

SECTION 5: At regular meetings of the LEPC, the following shall be the order of business:

• Roll call
• Approval of minutes of the previous meeting
• Agency reports
• Reports from subcommittees
• Unfinished (old) business
• New business
• Public forum
• Adjournment

ARTICLE VI - SUBCOMMITTEES

SECTION 1: The Chair shall appoint other subcommittees as deemed necessary to fulfill the requirements listed in SARA Title III.

ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS 

SECTION 1: Should it become necessary to amend these bylaws, the following procedure shall be used. The membership will be notified at least fifteen (15) days in advance of any proposed changes and of the time and place voting on such changes will take place, It shall require an affirmative vote of a simple majority of those voting members present and voting to declare the amendment passed. Unless otherwise stated in a proposed change, the amendment shall take effect immediately following the vote.

ARTICLE VIII - VOTING 

SECTION 1: Any business coming before the LEPC that should require a vote shall be decided by a simple majority of those voting members present and voting; and shall be by yea or nay, or a show of hands, unless action is taken for a roll call on a particular matter. If a roll call vote is approved, the yeas and nays shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting.

 ADOPTED BY THE LINCOLN COUNTY LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMITTEE LINCOLN COUNTY KANSAS THIS 27th DAY OF APRIL, 2015.