Full Issues Framework

Public Trust and Confidence

1. Public Trust and Confidence

Kansans deserve elections that are fair, secure, accessible, and trusted. Confidence in elections is built through consistent rules, transparent administration, respect for local election officials, and leadership focused on voters over party.

Election Security and Integrity

Ensuring that only eligible citizens vote is important. It is equally important that eligible citizens are able to exercise that right without unnecessary government barriers.

That balance should guide election policy.

Before the government makes voter registration more difficult, there should be clear evidence of a significant problem that cannot be addressed through existing safeguards and enforcement. In Kansas, that threshold has not been met.

Kansas already requires individuals registering to vote to swear under penalty of law that they are United States citizens and eligible to vote. Knowingly registering or voting illegally is already a serious crime.

Some argue that even a single illegal vote undermines the rights of lawful voters. Any illegal vote is wrong and should be prosecuted. But in a free society, we do not impose broad burdens on constitutional rights based solely on the possibility that someone might break the law. We do not do that in other areas of civic life, and we should be cautious about doing it with voting rights.

The goal should be elections that are secure, accessible, and trusted by the public. Kansans should not have to choose between election integrity and the freedom of eligible citizens to participate. We should be able to do two things at once.

2. Proof of Citizenship

Kansans registering to vote already swear under penalty of law that they are citizens of the United States and eligible to vote. Knowingly registering or voting illegally is a felony.

I do not support imposing additional documentary requirements unless there is clear evidence that existing safeguards are failing in a significant way. In Kansas, that threshold has not been met.

Election laws should protect the integrity of the process while respecting the rights of eligible citizens to participate without unnecessary government barriers.

3. Voter ID

Voter ID has become part of how many Kansans expect elections to operate. I support maintaining reasonable identification requirements while also supporting efforts to ensure every eligible voter can reasonably obtain a qualifying ID.

Election laws should promote both security and public confidence without unnecessarily preventing eligible Kansans from participating.

4. SAVE Act

Election administration has traditionally been a state responsibility, with much of the work carried out at the county level. That decentralized system has generally served the country well and makes widespread fraud more difficult to carry out.

States like Kansas already have established election systems and safeguards in place.

I am cautious about broad federal mandates that may impose unnecessary barriers, create administrative complications, or override systems that are already functioning effectively at the state and local level.

5. Election Security Systems

Kansans deserve elections that are secure, transparent, professionally administered, and understandable to the public without turning every election into a political battle.

This includes helping counties maintain modern voting systems, improve cybersecurity, conduct reliable audits, and ensure that election technology remains secure, accurate, and verifiable. A paper ballot must remain the legal ballot of record. Most Kansas use some form of paper ballot and optical scanner. Consideration should be given to using risk-limiting audits.

Public confidence depends not only on security itself, but on whether voters understand and trust the systems being used.

Voting Access and Participation

A Secretary of State should always be looking for ways to encourage eligible Kansans to participate in elections and to make voting straightforward, accessible, and understandable.

Election security is important, but our democracy also depends on participation and public confidence. These goals should not be treated as competing values. Strong election systems can, and should, promote both security and participation at the same time.

6. Advance Voting

Advance voting has worked well in Kansas for many years and gives voters the flexibility to cast their ballots in a way that fits their schedules, jobs, and family responsibilities.

Policies that are functioning effectively and maintaining public confidence should not be changed simply for political advantage.

7. Mail Voting and Ballot Deadlines

Mail voting is popular in Kansas because it is convenient, familiar, and secure when properly administered. It is especially important for elderly Kansans, voters with disabilities or health challenges, military personnel, and those whose work or family responsibilities make in-person voting difficult.

Kansans should not have to provide a state-approved excuse in order to vote by mail.

I regret that the legislature eliminated the long-standing grace period that allowed ballots mailed on or before Election Day to arrive within three days and still be counted. Those ballots were processed during the normal canvassing period alongside valid provisional ballots before results were certified.

I support restoring the grace period because voters should not lose their voice due to postal delays beyond their control. My position is simple: all valid Kansas votes should be counted.

8. Accessibility and Participation

Eligible Kansans should be able to participate in elections without unnecessary barriers while maintaining confidence in the integrity of the system.

That includes making voting processes clear and understandable, improving communication with voters, and ensuring Kansans with disabilities, language barriers, or scheduling challenges can reasonably access the ballot.

Kansas should also consider offering an online voter guide where voters can enter their address and receive an online voter information guide that includes candidate-written profiles, links to campaign websites, and local ballot information. Other states already provide tools like this as a simple, nonpartisan way to help voters make informed decisions.

State and Local Election Administration

Kansas elections are administered primarily at the county level, and that local structure is one of the strengths of our system. County election officials understand their communities, voters, and logistical challenges better than distant political debates often recognize.

The state has an important role in setting standards, maintaining security, and supporting local officials. But good election administration also requires flexibility, professionalism, and respect for the people actually carrying out the work.

9. Uniformity vs Local Flexibility

Kansas counties are different, and local election officials often understand the needs of their communities better than politicians in Topeka.

Statewide standards for security, transparency, and fairness are important, but unnecessary one-size-fits-all mandates can create problems instead of solving them.

Not every county needs identical advance voting hours or the same number of drop box locations so long as Kansans have ample opportunity to vote. Counties should have reasonable flexibility to administer elections in ways that work effectively for their communities while still meeting statewide standards.

10. Supporting County Election Officials

County election officials are hardworking Kansans trying to administer honest elections under increasing pressure and public scrutiny.

Kansas is one of the few states that provides counties with little direct financial support for conducting elections. At the same time, the state prohibits counties from seeking philanthropic funding to help fill the gap. If we truly view secure and accessible elections as a foundation of democracy, we need to be willing to provide the resources necessary to make them possible.

The state should also continue expanding support through training, technology, resources, and clear guidance. That is far more productive than burdening local officials with unfunded mandates or dragging them into partisan political conflict.

Public confidence in elections depends in large part on the professionalism and integrity of the local officials who carry them out.

Democratic Participation and Structural Reform

Strong democratic systems should encourage participation, public confidence, and meaningful voter choice. Election rules should serve voters and the long-term health of representative government, not simply protect existing political advantages.

Kansas should remain open to practical reforms that strengthen participation, reduce unnecessary polarization, and ensure voters feel their voices matter.

11. Closed Primaries and Taxpayer Funding

Nearly one-third of Kansas voters are unaffiliated with either major party, yet they are still required to help fund elections in which they cannot participate.

Kansas should explore ways to make primary elections more inclusive while still allowing political parties an appropriate role in selecting their nominees.

12. Voting System Reforms

Kansas should remain open to thoughtful reforms that encourage broader participation, reduce polarization, and give voters more meaningful choices.

Possible reforms worth considering include fusion voting, ranked choice voting, and nonpartisan primary systems in which all candidates appear on the same primary ballot and the top candidates advance to the general election.

Any reform proposals should be evaluated carefully based on whether they improve voter confidence, participation, fairness, and the overall functioning of representative government.

13. Unaffiliated Voters and Ballot Access

Unaffiliated voters deserve a meaningful voice in Kansas elections, and ballot access rules should not unnecessarily protect the two major parties from competition.

Healthy democratic systems benefit from competition, new ideas, and meaningful voter choice rather than unnecessary procedural barriers that protect existing political power.

14. Independent Redistricting

Politicians should not choose their voters. Kansas should move toward a more independent and transparent redistricting process focused on fair representation rather than partisan advantage.

Public confidence in representative government is strengthened when district boundaries are drawn through a process voters view as fair, transparent, and credible.

Office Administration and Business Services

The Secretary of State’s office is not only responsible for elections. It also provides important services to Kansas businesses, nonprofits, and citizens every day.

Those services should be efficient, understandable, accessible, and professionally managed. Government works best when people can interact with it without unnecessary confusion, delay, or bureaucracy.

15. Modernization and Administrative Efficiency

Kansas businesses and citizens deserve systems that are efficient, accessible, responsive, and professionally managed.

The Secretary of State’s office should continue modernizing online services, simplifying processes where possible, improving communication with the public, and ensuring that routine interactions with government are straightforward, reliable, and easy to navigate.

16. Business Filing Efficiency

Small businesses and nonprofits should be able to interact with the Secretary of State’s office through systems that are clear, timely, and easy to navigate. As a long-time small business owner, I know the importance of making government filing requirements easy to understand and easy to accomplish.

17. Customer Service

Citizens should expect professionalism, responsiveness, and respect when interacting with state government.

Public trust is strengthened when government offices communicate clearly, respond promptly, and treat people as citizens to be served rather than problems to be managed.

Overarching Campaign Philosophy

The Secretary of State plays a unique role in public life. The office is responsible not only for administering elections, but for maintaining public confidence that the system is being managed fairly, professionally, and without partisan favoritism.

At a time when election administration is increasingly drawn into political conflict, Kansans deserve leadership focused on competence, public trust, and service to voters rather than political performance.

18. Competence Over Conflict

The Secretary of State should focus on serving voters, administering elections fairly, and maintaining public confidence in the system rather than participating in partisan political conflict.

Kansans deserve calm, professional leadership grounded in competence, transparency, and respect for the democratic process.

19. Voters Over Party

Election administration should put the interests of Kansas voters and public trust ahead of partisan advantage.

The rules governing elections should be designed to strengthen confidence, participation, fairness, and the long-term health of representative government rather than benefiting one political party over another.