Douglas County residents wanting to participate in advance voting during the August primary elections may have more than one location to choose from when they cast their ballots.

Last week, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed a new law allowing all counties the option to set up satellite advance voting locations. Previously satellite locations were allowed only in Johnson and Sedgwick counties. Until now in Douglas County there was only one advance voting site and it was in the courthouse, 1100 Mass.

The advance voting law change was something that Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew had lobbied the Legislature for. Consideration will be given to putting satellites in Eudora, Baldwin City and Lecompton as well as additional locations in Lawrence, he said.

“Advance voting continues to increase with each election,” Shew said. “My hope is it will increase the turnout because it gives people the opportunity to participate and not have to be there on an election day,” Shew said.

Shew said he hopes to have satellites ready for the August primary election. There are technological issues that will need to be worked out, including how to ensure that someone doesn’t vote twice, he said.

Advance voting will start July 16, and the primary is on Aug. 5. Advance voters also have the option of mailing in their ballots.