TOPEKA, Kan.—Kansas is holding its first presidential primary in more than three decades on March 19. 

Previously, it was left up to the political parties to decide whether they wanted to have more exclusive caucuses or start conventions instead.

County officials will oversee the voting and far more voters are expected to participate than the tens of thousands who usually do in caucuses or the dozens who would attend a party convention.

Kansas last held a state presidential primary in 1992, and about 373,000 voters participated. In canceling later primaries, legislators often cited the potential cost and left it to the parties to decide what to do, at their own expense.

In 2020, Democrats funded and ran their own primary by mail ballot only, while Republican leaders committed to supporting then-President Donald Trump without a vote or any caucuses.

The governor signed a bill last year scheduling the primary but does not schedule any presidential primaries after 2024.