Mail-in-Ballots are Secure |
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Do you enjoy the political season? Probably not. To me, it’s a little bit like a sport. Sadly, COVID-19 has pretty much nixed all sports so at least it gives me something else to watch and follow in real-time.
I personally enjoy getting to know the candidates and I like sorting out my own ideas as we get bombarded with political ads. This election cycle will soon be over. The Super Bowl of democracy will name its champions in just 10 weeks. Mail ballots will be sent out in about seven weeks. One of the things that seems to be hotly debated is whether those mail-in-ballots are good or bad, are they secure, and are they vulnerable to fraud?
Voting in the poll site on Election Day is my preference however I know many people that prefer taking their time to fill out a paper ballot at home. Mail-in-ballots have certainly gained popularity in recent elections. About half of the votes in this election will likely be mail ballots.
Having served as one of the Board of Canvassers tasked with reviewing the election results and sorting out any ballot issues that may develop, I have grown to appreciate the secure voting processes and procedures. Most mail-in-ballots are processed without any problems whatsoever. Unfortunately, there are some that end up in a special category with issues that need to be resolved.
Most of the issues fall into the category of voter error. Sometimes the voter fails to sign the sealed envelope. Sometimes they return the ballot in a standard envelope. Sometimes they mail the ballot after the polls close. If there is any way to resolve those issues, the election office staff does everything they can to solve those discrepancies. In the end, for all of Sedgwick County, about 1,000 ballots in the primary were rejected for those (and similar) reasons. My advice is to follow the instructions closely, sign the envelope carefully, and mail it before the polls close.
To get a mail-in-ballot, you must ask for it. Just fill out the application. It does not matter if you use the application you received in the mail or download it from the Election Office or use one from a candidate or organization. If you filled out more than one, you still only get one ballot. The application requires your signature and some details from your government issued Photo ID. That ensures that the requester is the actual registered voter. You can find the application here: https://www.sedgwickcounty.org/media/29987/advance_voting_app.pdf.
Overall, running an election is a daunting challenge filled with a million details that must be done with precision using hundreds of people. The results must be accurate and we expect them quickly. You can trust the Sedgwick County election system is secure. Just plan to make your voice heard.
Voter registration deadline is October 13th. For more information, contact the Sedgwick County Election Office at (316) 660-7100.
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August 28, 2020 COVID-19 Report |
Comparing case counts from Wednesday, August 26 to today, August 28:
- The United States of America case count increased from 5,791,222 to 5,889,652 (+1.7 percent).
- Today, the State of Kansas case count increased nearly three percent, from 39,937 to 41,048. It was reported that 443 Kansans have passed away due to COVID-19.
- In Sedgwick County, case counts increased from 6,597 to 6,709 (+ 1.7).
Currently, Sedgwick County is only testing symptomatic residents, close contacts, and people who work in certain at-risk professions (first responders, healthcare workers (including home health and long-term care), law enforcement, detention facility workers, Direct Support Professionals, or those working in residential group living facilities).
Visit www.sedgwickcounty.org for additional information about COVID-19 including testing information, funding resources, and data.
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County Continues to Use CARES Funding for COVID-19 Response |
So far, Sedgwick County has spent $13.7 million on COVID-19-related purposes. Below is a spending breakdown.
- $9.6 million is from the County’s direct allocation of Federal CARES funding. This is up $200,000 from last week, primarily due to the most recent payroll posting and payments for temporary employment services through a staffing agency. Additional increases were for software and technology for County services. United Methodist Open Door homeless day program was granted $7,000 to support COMCARE’s homeless program.
- $2.6 million was committed from the $9.3 million in the County’s allocation from the State of Kansas’s CARES funding; this is up $600,000 from last week. The entirety of this expense was for products ordered to stock the business PPE kits that Commissioners previously authorized; the goal is to distribute these kits beginning in mid-September.
- $1.2 million has been spent from the County’s General Fund. This is an increase of $14,000 for payments associated with the development of a COVID-19 mass vaccination plan. Fire District 1 spending on COVID-19 remains flat at $22,000.
- The Sedgwick County Election Office has spent $155,000 of its award from the Secretary of State.
Business or nonprofits that qualify for CARES funding, are encouraged to submit an application at www.sedgwickcounty.org.
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New Order Allows for Limited Restaurant and Bar Operation |
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A major change reflected in this order allows for a fair and equitable environment for local bars and nightclubs to safely open and operate moving forward.
Businesses classified as drinking establishment (DE) and drinking establishment restaurant (DER) will operate at 50 percent of its fire code capacity. Both will be required to close to the public at 11 p.m. daily but may continue carryout and curbside services.
Residents are still required to wear masks or face coverings in public spaces. Children age five or younger are not required to wear a mask. There are some health care exemptions to this rule for those who are not able to do so.
The order adopts Phase 2 of the Ad Astra Plan which allows groups of up to 15 people that must be located at least six feet away from other groups. Events and business occupancy are not capped at 15 people. Individuals in public gatherings are still required to wear a mask.
As schools begin the fall semester, it is imperative to ensure that students, faculty, and staff are able to operate safely. Dr. Minns indicates his goal is to reduce the rate of positive cases to five percent to align with CDC’s recommendation for children returning to schools. Our community toolbox consists of mask wearing, social distancing (six-feet between individuals), and good hand hygiene, as the best ways for the community to reach that goal.
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Sedgwick County Fire District 1 Breaks Ground on New Fire Station |
County leaders broke ground Monday, August 3 for a brand new, four bay, 10,000 square foot fire station located Andale. The new station will replace the current one – housed at a Sedgwick County Public Works yard – making it more publicly accessible. Tentative project completion is May 2021. Take a look at the groundbreaking here.
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55th and Meridian Project Ready for Fall Semester |
Sedgwick County and the Haysville School District jointly funded a road project to make improvements near Campus High School. Work was planned to begin and be completed over the summer in time for the new school year this fall.
Join us for a ribbon-cutting event at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 2 at Campus High School to celebrate these improvements!
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Planning to Vote in the General Election? |
The General Election is less than 70 days away – are you registered to vote?
To check your current voter registration information, click here.
If you would like to register to vote or update your voter registration, (use this link to download a voter registration application).
If you would like to vote-by-mail in this election, click here to download an advance ballot application. Please note a separate application is required for each person and for each election. Clear photos of applications may be submitted via email to voterinformation@sedgwick.gov.
If you have already sent in General Election vote-by-mail application, please wait to check the status of it until September 10, 2020 to allow staff time to process requests.
Want to know if your vote-by-mail application has been processed? Click here to check on the status of your vote-by-mail application or ballot.
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Commissioners Adopt 2021 Budget |
The Board of County Commissioners approved the 2021 budget for Sedgwick County and Fire District 1.This budget focuses on the County’s responses to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It continues service delivery levels with no tax rate increase. It includes some additions:
- 1 full-time equivalent Epidemiologist position at the Health Department;
- 2 full-time equivalent positions for Integrated Care Team 1 (ICT-1); and
- Various additions to the Sheriff’s Office for medical services, judicial services, and other needs.
The 2021 Adopted Budget totals $438,259,900 for Sedgwick County Government and $19,368,910 for Sedgwick County Fire District 1. Together, the full Budget totals $457,628,810.
Commissioners also adopted the 2021 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) which totals $25,471,593. The CIP includes funding for:
- North Junction Improvements and the Northwest Bypass right-of-way;
- A County Elections Building; and
- Replacements and new installation of outdoor warning devices.
The budget was approved after two in-person public hearings and an online forum. The 2021 budget will take effect January 1, 2021 for the calendar year.
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Feeling stressed or anxious? Want to talk?
COMCARE of Sedgwick County is offering a support line for individuals who may be experiencing an elevation in mental health symptoms. Anyone may call (316) 660-1111 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. Participants of the support line will receive resources, coping skill ideas, and encouragement to keep doing what they need to do to stay healthy, emotionally and physically. Residents who are experiencing a mental health crisis should call (316) 660-7500.
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316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203
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Connect with Sedgwick County |
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