My name is Laura Allen. I am the Democratic write in candidate for the August 4th Primary election. I want to be your Ellis County Clerk. I want to work with other county officials to make sure that we are doing what is best for Ellis County and its residents. As Clerk, transparency and engagement are key. Each Ellis County resident should feel as if they matter when it comes to the workings of our county and those that represent us.
Advance ballots have been sent, and many have been returned. Not as many as should have been returned because our Election Office has, again, dropped the ball. For instance, instead of using a mailing permit for the return envelope, the Clerk left it to us to pay postage. How much? $1.20! WHY? When the County conducted the Sales Tax Election and wanted everyone to vote so it could impose more taxes, the Clerk made sure the postage was prepaid. Now, even though the federal government would reimburse for the postage, she makes us buy stamps. This is to suppress turnout so the insiders can manipulate the results. They don’t really want us to return these ballots. In the midst of a pandemic, they should encourage voters to vote in the most convenient, safest way possible. Instead they tell us to go buy stamps or drive to the Administrative Center to put the ballot in a box.
Fortunately, I have found a solution, which will save us up to $18,000 in Ellis County. Don’t put postage on the envelope! The Post Master in Hays has assured us that every ballot, whether or not it has postage, will be delivered to the Clerk. She has the money available to pay any postage due from Federal CARES/HAVA money. She should have used it in the first place, but this will work, too.
I am publicly calling on Donna Maskus and her Deputy, my opponent in this election, to inform Ellis County voters, whether Republican, Democrat, or Unaffiliated of their right to vote in advance, to mail the ballot without postage by signing the back of the envelope, and be assured that their vote will be counted.
Election officials should want our citizens to vote. We should want their voices to be heard. We should facilitate that process as much as possible, and we should find ways to do that without actually costing Ellis County Residents more in the long run. After calling the Clerk’s office I was told:
- In order to return your ballot, you must use the drop box or pay the postage. That is not true. When I specifically asked, the clerk’s office finally admitted that if we just send the return envelope the Clerk will pay the postage.
- There was federal money to send out the initial mailings (there was a Hays Daily News article in May with this information), but not to cover return postage. Again, not true. The Clerk decided not to put the mailing permit on and do it cheaply. Now she will have to pay the postage due, at a higher rate, but she can pay it out of CARES funds at no cost to the County budget.
The election process should be encouraging more voting, not discouraging it. It’s the most fundamental means for citizens to be engaged in their local government. As an Election Official, I will make sure that voters are our priority. If you haven’t yet sent in your advance ballot, put it in any mailbox, whether or not you write in Laura Allen for County Clerk. If you do write me in, please mark the bubble, so the Clerk counts your vote. You do not need to put postage on it!
Recently a new voter told me of her awful experience trying to vote in person. She was quizzed by the person in the Clerk’s office as to why she was declaring as a Democrat, why she was bothering to vote, and generally treated as an inconvenience. The person who “helped” her didn’t even get off the phone to explain the process to this new voter. This is no way to treat the public, especially a young person who is trying to do the right thing, and obviously asking for guidance.
I believe that the issues I see with current processes are simple complacency. When it’s just another day in the office, it’s easy to overlook the bigger picture and our end goal. Complacency is the antithesis of innovation and engagement. This is why I believe it is imperative that we have new blood, new ideas, and new strategies in the County Clerk’s office. For Ellis County to be served in the best manner possible, it can’t be just another day at the office.
I recently asked the County Clerk to recuse the Deputy County Clerk from any discretionary decisions regarding the office for which she herself is running. I was told that the Deputy Clerk would not be on counting boards, and the Clerk’s office would uphold their responsibilities in a professional manner. I have also been told that voter intent when writing my name in will be considered. My last name, or combination of names, even misspelled, that clearly indicate a voter intended to write me in will be counted. With those assurances, I offer, again, these ways for your voice to be heard:
Advanced mail in ballots may be requested 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 (No postage necessary) 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 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 (Laura Allen) in for County Clerk. Any unaffiliated voter 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. Please write in Laura Allen for Ellis County Clerk. Your vote will make a difference.
Laura Allen, write-in candidate for Ellis County Clerk