Election Process Study Background:

The study findings are based on responses provided by the election officials from 100
counties in Kansas to the questionnaire developed by LWV-US. The survey covered four
parameters:

1. Voter Access
2. Vote Counting
3. Election Workforce
4. Voter Preparation / Education.

The following is a brief summary of the outcome:

1. Voter Access:
In Kansas, all 100 officials reported the use of voter cards and computerized voter
registration lists that are submitted to the Secretary of State’s office where reviews for
duplications and for removal of names of persons who have died (official death
notices filed with the state) are made. The ability of poll workers to check the official
complete county list on election day is limited to phone access to the election office
and not direct access to the list from the poll site using a laptop computer. This
situation makes the issuance of provisional ballots at the polls common (and thus
assuring Kansas compliance with the Motor Voter federal law). Citizens can register
to vote at the Dept. of Motor Vehicles as well as numerous other places by filling out
the paper Voter Registration form that is then processed by the Election Office. In
general, polling places are accessible to voters with physical disabilities (responses:
some sites (13); all sites (86) none (1)). Visually impaired or blind citizens can have
someone of their choice help them who presumably will vote as directed. Such
dependence erodes the privacy of voting and technology may be available to alleviate
this shortfall. While English is the language used on the ballot, written instructions in
Spanish are displayed at some polling sites in some counties.

2. Vote Counting:
In Kansas, 31 counties reported hand counting of paper ballots whereas 65 utilize
Opti-scan devices to tally the vote. Three counties reported use of direct electronic
methods. In the 2002 elections in Johnson County, all voters at the polls on election
day and at the 3 polling sites during the advanced voting voted by direct touching of
the computer screen including the recording of that vote. Overall, confidence in the
accuracy of vote counts is high throughout the state. Equipment maintenance and
duplicate checks of counts are practiced. Advanced voting occurs throughout the state
with the more populated counties reporting higher participation. The State guidelines
for defining “the vote that counts” are currently being reviewed by a task force. While
survey responses by election officials conveyed confidence in discerning voter intent,
we were not able to assess uniformity throughout the state and assume that the task
force is addressing this parameter.
3. Election Workforce:
One of the challenges is recruiting sufficient numbers of people who are willing to
work for 13 hours as an uninterrupted shift on Election days. The election officials
are responsible for recruiting workers and rely heavily on the political parties to assist
in identifying workers. While split shifts are inconsistent with the state statute, 3
counties have had to resort to split shifts to get the needed coverage. Manuals, video
and group sessions are used to train poll workers. Among the counties19 reported that
training is not required for either the primary or general elections. Compulsory
training is not required for first time workers in 53 counties and not required for all
workers before every election in 71 counties. All poll workers are compensated for
working on Election day and some are compensated for attending a training session.
In general, compensation for supervisory judges is slightly higher which may also
include some training.

4. Voter Preparation / Education:

There do not appear to be state guidelines for helping voters become familiar with the
ballot (format, order of choices, primary versus general election differences etc) prior
to going to vote. A variety of practices currently exist, that is, responses to individual
requests, access to web site, postings in the election office or at the polls and
publication in the newspaper. While there are statutory restrictions (KSA 25-604 and
KSA 25-2426), the concern for inappropriate utilization of ‘sample ballots’ must be
re-evaluated in light of diminished voter turnout. Opportunities to become familiar
with voting equipment (how to use the equipment) are offered by 41 counties.
Information about polling place locations is communicated in newspapers, mailings
and by public service announcements / postings. On election day a voter hotline to
deal with specific inquiries is provided by 20 counties.

Consensus Questions for the state study:

Election Administration Reform
1. Is voting by provisional ballot in Kansas a “fail-safe” (dependable, reliable) way to
vote?
• Do poll workers and/or supervising judges as well as the public understand the
use of provisional ballots?
• Should the criteria for discarding provisional ballots be made known?
• How can information about the numbers of discarded votes and reasons for
discarding these ballots help the affected individual voter and the public in
making this alternative means of voting a valid vote?

2. Is working the polls a job that requires training?

• Would compulsory training of poll workers improve the administration of the
election process at the polling sites?
• Should the methods, requirements, frequency of training and compensation for
training for the primary and/or general elections be determined by the county or
by the State?
• Would additional training, additional compensation or a certification process
impact on the supervising ability of the judges?
• Would offering a split shift enhance or diminish the quality of work at the polls?