(KAIR)--Concerns regarding the early cutoff for City of Atchison voter registration have been heard, with the State of Kansas now allowing the date to be extended.

That follows the early closure for Atchison City voters to register for the August 2 primary election due to the City of Atchison’s decision to hold a special sales tax election July 14. State statute requires that registration must be closed 20 days preceding the day of any election, including the City’s Save Our Streets Special Ballot Question.

That meant the closing of registration last month, while the deadline to register for the rest of the state is July 12. That date is now the cutoff for all “citizens residing in Atchison County, including residents of the City of Atchison.”

Word of the decision was delivered Friday by Atchison County Clerk Michelle Phillips, whose release explains that “Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab, in his capacity as chief state election officer under the National Voter Registration Act, has now recommended that Atchison county allow any Atchison County resident, otherwise eligible to vote, to have their ballot accepted, if they attempt to register up to July 12.”

The release notes Atchison County earlier closed registrations for City of Atchison residents due to the special election, following the guidance of Schwab’s office and state law.

On Tuesday, a group of nine Atchison residents addressed their concerns to the Atchison City Commission, with calls to cancel the special election in order for voter registration to continue heard during the session.

The City, explaining that the early cutoff was an unforeseen consequence of holding the special election, nonetheless took no action, as the special election is already underway.

The Atchison City Commission in May gave approval to the Citywide Sales Tax Referendum, which would approve a 1-percent city wide sales tax for transportation infrastructure and property tax relief.