“Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.” – John F. Kennedy
I use this quote because it is perfect for the County Clerk position for which I have recently announced my write in campaign. I have spent a good amount of time studying the Clerk position and responsibilities. In the course of that research I have also come across several news articles documenting a fair amount of animosity between county offices. As an active, engaged Ellis County citizen, I knew such animosity existed, but was unaware of how detrimental it was to the county and the people these offices are meant to represent.
County Clerk duties in the state of Kansas, based on employment descriptions, are heavily clerical and accounting, not open to interpretation. Deadlines are mandated, also not open to interpretation. But, for whatever reason, in Ellis County there seems to be dissent among county offices about who is right, who is wrong, who is at fault, etc.
In any working relationship this is far from efficient, time consuming and toxic. Instead of working together to benefit Ellis County and its residents, energies are spend on accusations and arguments. Case in point, a recent viral video, shared far and wide, of county officers at a Commission meeting. While the Clerk’s office was not directly involved in that exchange, the clerk’s office was represented. There was ample opportunity for any one of the many elected officials in attendance to be the voice of reason, but not one spoke up. In a healthy working relationship/environment, this would have never been acceptable. We deserve better.
As the Chief Election Official for the county, however; the Clerk does have an amazing opportunity to work with the community and step outside the box. On the basest level, engagement of our county officials is an excellent opportunity to connect with the populace. I have been to one event in the past 3 years at which I have been encouraged to register to vote. One event. If there have been more, I am unaware of them, as are many other voters with whom I have spoken. As the Chief Election Officer in Ellis County, the Clerk has an awesome chance to help people realize their importance in the election process.
While the County Clerk position is an elected position, “not automatically handed down to the next person in line”, without other candidates running, as has been the case since 2012, it does become a de facto passing of the torch, so to speak. Experience and firsthand knowledge are a double edged sword. They bring with them the issues of the past, and defensiveness doesn’t always play well with innovation and improvement.
Accounting is a large part of the Business Administration Bachelor’s program at FHSU, and experience is gained through many routes, including management and Human Resources. They may not come from working in the office currently, but are no less relevant.
I appreciate the statutes referenced by the current Deputy County Clerk, and agree wholeheartedly that factual information is important. I don’t agree that any of the information provided is evidence of assumptions or untruths. I can agree that there will be a learning curve, as is always the case with any new endeavor.
At the heart of this write in campaign is my desire to make sure Ellis County citizens come to realize how important it is to take an active role in our government, make informed, reasoned decisions and make a difference.
Advanced mail in ballots may be requested now until July 28th. You can request an advance ballot by visiting www.ksvotes.org or by calling the Ellis County Clerk at 785-628-9410. These completed ballots can be mailed back to 718 Main Street, Hays, Kansas 67601, or watch the following tutorial on using the drop box at the same address: https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=eyLKdLKmHHs.
You can vote early, in person, by visiting 718 Main Street beginning July 20, until noon on August 3, 2020. As always, you may vote during the primary election held on August 4th, 2020. Find your polling place (or check your voter registration) at https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/voterview.
If you are a registered democrat, please mark the bubble, then write my name in as County Clerk. Any registered unaffiliated voters may affiliate with a party when voting in the primary in person or when requesting an advance ballot. Please take a moment and support my write in campaign and affiliate as a democrat in order to write me in.
Every single vote counts. Every time.
Laura Allen, write-in candidate for Ellis County Clerk