Coronavirus Causing Changes to Kansas Elections

Kansas officials are making changes to the way voters will cast their votes later this year due to the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the Hays Post reports.

With a late primary of August 3, the state has an advantage over other states like Missouri or Wisconsin which had to make tough decisions either to postpone their primary or hold it with fewer polling places.

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab said their main goal in handling this year’s election was to avoid “voter confusion.”

“You’ve got to be really careful because you’re going to create voter confusion if you move the day,” said Schwab, who is hopeful the virus isn’t an issue by August. “That’s the biggest thing we’re trying to avoid is voter confusion.”

The usual person-to-person voting activities where poll workers handle voter IDs and sign-in tablets, is being altered to work around social distancing requirements, should that still be necessary, Schwab said. Changes include spacing out voter machines, urging voters to request a mail-in ballot if they weren’t comfortable being in public voting locations, and possibly adding more locations across the state.

“The biggest way to get more social distancing is for counties to offer more polling places,” he suggested.

The state will be able to access funds in the coronavirus relief package to defray additional costs due to additional polling places and the increased number of workers required to man them.

The political parties have had to make adjustments as well. Kansas Republicans chose their delegates for the national convention with a Zoom meeting and Democrats adjusted the protocol for their May 2 primary to mail-in ballots only.

Another element of how the virus is changing this year’s elections is for the candidates who are currently prevented from interacting with voters in the customary town halls and other public events. Because of that, both Republican and Democratic leaders say candidates are replacing in-person town hall meetings with gatherings either online or by telephone.

Fundraising efforts have also shifted, and campaign officials say their advertising dollars are currently being spent more online instead of on TV.

“We’re all in the same boat right now, just doing what you can digitally,” said Kansas Republican Party Executive Director Shannon Golden, adding optimistically, “Hopefully, we’re back out there able to go with normal business, come June and July.”