Sedgwick County Voter Coalition (SCVC) Timeline

League of Women Voters^®
Wichita - Metro

A Chronology of Key Events

HAVA. Bill Gale. HAVA in Sedgwick County. Generic Voting Model. Gale's reappointment. Voter registration cards. Important Federal Legislation Introduced. Breaking news. Explanation to Commission. League meets with Gale. Coalition forms. KPTS airs discussion. Coalition press conference. Gale and Thornburgh make presentation. Ladwig makes presentation. Observing primary election. Observations report. Thornburgh's response. Recommendations for change. Sciortino responds. Gale responds. SCVC op-ed article. Coalition presentation to BOCC. Limited voter education. Observing general election. Final report released. Important Federal Legislation. Coalition Submits Budget Request. New State Election Law Goes Into Effect. Coalition Speaks to County Commission. Coalition At Public Budget Hearings. County Budget Office Recommendation. Last Appeal to County Commissioners. Commission Sets Aside Money. Appendix 1. Appendix 2. Appendix 3. Appendix 4. Appendix 5. Appendix 6.

2002: Help America Vote Act (HAVA)

The US Congress passes the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) in response to the 2000 presidential election debacle. By 2006, HAVA mandates that each state create and maintain a state-wide database of registered voters. The Act also requires that facilities designated as polling sites meet formal compliance with the American's with Disabilities Act (ADA)--e.g., wheelchair ramps, wider doors, handicap-designated parking. HAVA further mandates that each polling site have at least one handicap-accessible voting machine to permit the disabled to vote unassisted. Federal monies are made available for states to apply for to facilitate the purchase of new voting machines.

November 1, 2003: Bill Gale's appointment as Election Commisioner

Bill Gale assumes his duties as Sedgwick County Election Commissioner after being appointed by Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh to replace retiring 22-year veteran Election Commissioner Marilyn Chapman.
Who is Bill Gale? Bill Gale is a certified public accountant who previously served two terms on the Wichita city council. He ran unsuccessfully for Mayor in 2003. He served as fiscal officer for the Mid-America All-Indian Center and has considerable experience in community involvement in various areas. Gale has lived in Sedgwick County since 1979 In announcing the appointment in a press release October 20, Thornburgh said, "Bill Gale is the right person for the job at the right time. He brings a clear understanding of the elections process to the table. There will be a number of changes made to elections procedures in the coming months and years due to new federal requirements. I look forward to working with Bill to ensure Sedgwick County continues to be a leader in the elections community." Gale commented, "My top priority is to continue to provide fair, honest and accurate elections. I look forward to working on the local and state level to ensure Sedgwick County meets the requirements of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 and is fully ready for the 2004 presidential election."

2004-2005: HAVA funds arrive in Sedgwick County

Sedgwick County receives $1.85 million of the nearly $28 million in Kansas HAVA funds (which includes state/county matching funds and federal grants). Sedgwick County's allocation is administered by the Secretary of State's office and is earmarked exclusively for the purchase of new voting equipment. Bill Gale uses the money to procure 545 ES&S iVotronic touch-screen voting machines with voter verifiable paper audit trail printers (as well as other supporting hardware and software). Gale determines that these machines will replace rather than augment the 850 MicroVote electronic voting machines that were purchased by Sedgwick County in 1995.

June 9, 2005: Generic voting center pitched to the Sedgwick County Commission

Bill Gale pitches the idea of creating a generic voting center model for Sedgwick County elections to the County Commission. By purchasing new electronic voting machines capable of storing hundreds of precinct-specific ballots, the model would allow for the elimination of precinct-based voting and permit voters to cast their ballot at any designated polling site in the County on Election Day. Gale contends that a generic voting center model would be more convenient for voters and would allow for a substantial reduction in polling sites throughout the county. Even though Kansas law requires precinct-based voting on Election Day, County Commissioners give Gale the green light to continue investigating the voting center concept.

November 10, 2005: Gale's reappointment

Ron Thornburgh reappoints Bill Gale as Sedgwick County Election Commissioner for another four-year term.

March 2006: Voter registration cards mailed

Registered voters throughout Sedgwick County receive voter registration cards in the mail identifying their polling sites.

March 16, 2006: Important Bill Introduced in US Congress

The Electoral Fairness Act of 2006 (H.R.4989) is introduced in the US House of Representatives by Rep. Rush Holt (NJ).
If enacted into law, H.R.4989 will require states and municipalities, where electronic voting machines are the primary voting system, to have no more than 1,000 registered voters per polling place and no more than 200 voters per voting machine for Federal elections. Since the 70% consolidation in poll sites, Sedgwick County has had an average ratio of 3,695 voters per site and 427 voters per machine, with 32 sites having more than 4,000 assigned registered voters, and 19 with more than 4,500.
The bill is still awaiting consideration in the House Committee on House Administration.

May 7, 2006: Breaking news

The Wichita Eagle breaks the story about the radical changes in voting for 2006 in Sedgwick County--a reduction in polling sites from 208 to 62 with one-third fewer voting machines as well. Even while supporting Bill Gale, Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh says of the cuts, "It's probably a little deeper than I would have gone, but that's what comes with local control."

May 31, 2006: Gale explains to the County Commission

Bill Gale appears before the SG Co. Commission to explain the process and rationale for the changes he made and to request monies to purchase 60 optical scan voting machines to supplement the 545 ES&S touch screen machines already purchased. Several Commissioners express concern over the dramatic changes and press Gale. Commissioners are especially concerned about his willingness to makes changes to his new system if they appear warranted. The Commission unanimously approves the request for $301,500 for the 60 new machines.

June 6, 2006: The local League voices concern in a meeting with Gale

League of Women Voters (LWV) Wichita-Metro Co-Presidents, Ernestine Krehbiel and Betty Ladwig, meet with Bill Gale and present him with a letter written by LWV Wichita-Metro and Janis McMillan (LWV KS) expressing the League's grave concern over the changes. Krehbiel and Ladwig also suggest corrective action to Gale. Gale listens and explains his rationale for making the changes but does not respond directly to any of the suggestions offered.

June 22, 2006: SCVC is formed

In response to the outcry of protest to the changes Gale has made, LWV Wichita-Metro hosts an informational meeting for concerned citizens and organizations. Sufficient concern exists to hold additional meetings during June. Out of these meetings the grassroots, nonpartisan Sedgwick County Voter Coalition (SCVC) is born comprised of individual concerned citizens and 23 organizations.

July 7, 2006: KPTS airs discussion

LWV Wichita-Metro Co-President Ernestine Krehbiel appears on the KPTS public-affairs program Reporter's Notebook along with Bill Gale and Ron Thornburgh to discuss and debate the changes Gale implemented in Sedgwick County.

July 10, 2006: Coalition press conference

SCVC holds a formal new conference to introduce the coalition to the public and to voice the coalition's concerns. The press conference is held in front of Horace Mann Elementary school--a former polling site not assigned in 2006 that is completely ADA-compliant--to highlight the availability and accessibility of other facilities in Sedgwick County for use as polling sites. Print, TV, and radio journalists attend and cover the event.

July 12, 2006: Gale and Thornburgh make presentation to Commissioners

Bill Gale and Secretary of State Thornburgh make a joint informational presentation before the Sedgwick County Commission. Gale and Thornburgh also tape a 17 minute "Around the County" program hosted by Chairman Ben Sciortino.

July 19, 2006: Ladwig makes presentation for Commissioners

SCVC Co-Chair Betty Ladwig makes a presentation before the Sedgwick County Commission to rebut some assertions made by Ron Thornburgh and Bill Gale and to voice the Coalition's concerns(1).
The Sedgwick County Communications department also makes available copies of an informational public service announcement it has produced to aid the public at the urging of SCVC. SCVC members deliver the PSAs to local electronic media. Leading up to the primary election, the PSA is seen on KPTS and KSNW during the late afternoon and early evening; both KAKE and KWCH opt to air the PSA during the overnight hours. The PSA also appears on the County and Election Office websites.

August 1, 2006: SCVC and League observe primary election

Members of SCVC and LWV Wichita-Metro observe the administration of the primary election at 19 polling sites throughout SG County. Only 16 percent of registered voters turnout to vote--40 percent fewer than for the gubernatorial primary four years earlier.

August 14, 2006: Observations report

SCVC releases its final report on observations of the August 1 primary election to County officials and local media. The report notes widespread voter confusion, lack of privacy in voting, problems with practical access for the disabled to sites, and inconsistent administration of provisional ballots, among others. SCVC leaders meet personally with Bill Gale. Gale listens attentively but does not respond.

August 16, 2006: Ron Thornburgh responds to SCVC's observation report

SCVC receives formal response from Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh to the Coalition's observation report

August 18, 2006: Recommendations for change issued

SCVC releases 14 formal recommendations for changes and/or improvements to be made prior to November General Election to County officials and local media. In an open letter to Bill Gale, SCVC requests a response within 30 days indicating what action, if any, he intends to take.

August 21, 2006: Sciortino responds to recommendations

SG Co. Commission Chairman Ben Sciortino acknowledges receipt of SCVC's recommendations.

September 15, 2006: Bill Gale formally replies

Bill Gale formally replies to SCVC's recommendations with a point-by-point response. Gale indicates that his office will take action to enhance voter privacy and will also add two more days of satellite advance voting for the November election. Gale refuses to add additional advance voting and Election Day polling sites and/or relocate existing sites to enhance convenience for voters.

September 17, 2006: SCVC publishes an Op-Ed article

September 17, 2006: SCVC publishes an op-ed article in The Wichita Eagle newspaper(2). The editorial expresses grave concern over the effect Gale's changes in the adminstration of elections has had and will continue to have on voter participation. The article identifies the need for Gale to (1) add more Election Day polling sites in Wichita, especially in disadvantaged areas of the city; (2) guarantee voter privacy; and, (3) carry out an aggressive grassroots voter education campaign so voters understand their voting options, where to vote, and how to vote using the new machines.

October 11, 2006: SCVC speaks to County Commissioners

SCVC Co-Chair Ernestine Krehbiel makes a presentation to the BOCC reiterating the coalition's concerns and request for changes outlined in the September Op-Ed. The BOCC listens but does not publicly express any concern.

October 2006: Extent of Commissioner Gale's voter education efforts

Twice prior to the General Election, Commissioner Gale makes informational presentations to the BOCC outlining deadlines for voter registration and promoting the satellite advance voting centers. Aside from information on the Election Office's website and some informational fliers at area Dillons stores, these presentations proved to be the extent of Gale's active public education campaign prior to the election.

November 7, 2006: Coalition observes polls on Election Day

Members of SCVC and LWV Wichita-Metro observe the administration of the General Election at 36 polling sites throughout SG County. Voters turnout is stronger than predicted resulting in long lines and delays for voters at certain poll sites throughout the day--a fact that tellingly demonstrates the limit of the Gale's dramatic reduction in poll sites and voting equipment. The longest observed delays occur at Metro-East Baptist church--a poll site with 5,351 assigned registered voters. On arriving at the site at 6:30 PM (30 minutes before the polls officially closed) our observer estimated that there were over 100 people waiting to access voting machines. Many had to wait more than an hour; others became discouraged and left without casting their ballots.

April 26, 2007: SCVC releases its final report and recommendations

SCVC releases its final report on observations of the November 7 General Election to Bill Gale, SOS Thornburgh, county officials, county's state legislative delegation, and local media. The report notes extensive and persistent delays experienced by voters for voting machines, ongoing problems with privacy in voting, continuing problems with practical access for the disabled to poll sites, and recurrent inconsistency in the administration of provisional ballots, among others.
The report also makes 16 substantive recommendations for changes prior to the 2008 Presidential Election season. Key recommendations include: restoration of polling sites; purchase of more voting equipment; creation of a bi-partisan citizen Advisory Task Force to advise the Election Commissioner; and, more voter privacy guarantees, among others.
SCVC requests a formal reply from Gale within 30 days. Gale offers no reply. The report also goes unreported in the media.

May 8, 2007: Important Bill in US Congress Moves Out of Committee

The Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2007 (H.R.811) is marked up out of the House Administration Committee of the US House of Representatives. The Bill awaits consideration by the full House. (The Senate version of the bill, S.559, is pending in the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.)
H.R.811 requires that all voting equipment produce a paper ballot that can be verified by the voter and that serves as the official ballot in any recount or audit. As a federal requirement, it mandates that each state set up special audit boards separate from existing voting administration systems and requires that they carryout an audit of each federal election by sampling select precincts for discrepancies between electronic vote counts and hand counts of the paper ballots. Other requirements are added for voting systems as well. The effective date of the legislation requires compliance before the 2008 election. The bill authorizes 300 million dollars to help states achieve compliance.
Presently, the touch screen machines in use in SG Co. do have voter verifiable paper audit trails (VVPATs). However, current Kansas election law neither requires random periodic audits of electronic voting machine tallies nor gives paper record audit trails legal primacy for the purpose of audits and/or recounts.

June 22, 2007: Coalition Presents County Manager and Commissioners with Budget Request

The coalition presents a supplemental budget request to the County Manager and the County Commission after a review of the SG Co. Election Office's proposed budget for 2008 indicates that no monies are being requested to restore poll sites or add new stocks of voting equipment in advance of the 2008 Presidential Election. The supplemental budget request asks for a one-time expenditure (a) to restore 20 polling sites throughout the county (for a total of 83 polling sites), and (b) to procure 150 additional touch screen voting machines (for a total of 715 machines)(3).
The coalition's rationale: Higher than anticipated voter turnout for the November 2006 General Election in Sedgwick County provided the first real test of the capacity and limits of the Election Office's consolidation of county polling sites from 208 in 2005 to 63 in 2006 and reduction in voting machines from 820 in 2005 to 565 in 2007. Rather than creating greater efficiency and convenience for voters, fewer voting machines coupled with a dramatic increase in voters assigned to each polling site resulted in long lines and lengthy delays for many voters at certain polling places.
Based on past years' voter participation patterns, more than 80% of registered voters in Sedgwick County will turnout for the 2008 Presidential General Election. This means that more than 70,000 additional voters will show up at the polls over the turnout we saw for the 2006 General Election. Consequently, given the current system's inability to efficiently, fairly, and conveniently serve all voters at all sites during the 2006 General Election with only 51% voter turnout, the coalition contends that the supplemental budget request is a necessary corrective measure to prevent voter disenfranchisement, ensure voter access, and restore voter confidence.

July 1, 2007: New State Election Law Makes It Easier to Recruit Poll Workers

During the 2007 legislative session, the KS legislature passes a bill (SB 283 & HB 2081) that permits flexibility in the operation of Election Boards, specifically allowing counties to hire partial day poll workers. Governor Sebelius signs the bill into law.
Prior to the new law, poll workers were required to work the entire day on Election Day--often a 14-16 hour work day. The new law allows counties to hire poll workers for half-a-day (or 8 or so hours) on Election Day. This flexibility will make it easier to hire people to work the polls. (Note: The law still requires that the supervisory judge at each poll site must work for the entire day.)
In Sedgwick County, Election Commissioner Gale is quick to roll out changes in the county's election office program. Click on Election Officers to learn more about it.
This change in state law was one of the recommendations made by the coalition after the 2006 Primary Election. This change was also due, in no small measure, to the hard work of the League of Women Voters of Kansas.

July 11, 2007: Coalition Urges County Commission to Endorse Budget Request

Coalition Co-Chair Betty Ladwig speaks to the County Commission urging them to endorse the coalition's budget request(4).

July 18, 2007: Coalition Members Address County Commissioners During Public Budget Hearings

After learning in the media that the only supplemental funding the Election Office is requesting is $25,000 to market advance voting prior to the November 2008 election, 4 members of the coalition address the County Commissioners during public budget hearings.
Rep. Delia Garcia and Pat Dooley (Co-President, LWV Wichita-Metro) join SCVC Co-Chairs Betty Ladwig and Ernestine Krehbiel in pointing out that the Election Office is placing way too much faith in and dependence on advance voting to advert long lines and electoral meltdown next November.
The speakers pointed out that while the coalition supported advance voting, research showed that during General Elections the great majority of voters prefer to vote in-person at their precinct polling place on Election Day after all campaigning has ended. Given this, there was no reason to presume that a limited investment of $25,000 could hope to achieve a radical transformation in how and when voters cast their ballots.
Consequently, if no action is taken to restore poll sites and add more machines, we can say the following about next November's election:

Historically, at least 81% of registered voters in Sedgwick County (or over 188,000) will turnout for Presidential General Elections. This means that more than 70,000 additional voters will show up at the polls over the turnout we saw for the 2006 General Election.
The 70% reduction in poll sites in 2006 means that voters will encounter poll sites with a median of 4,122 assigned registered voters (4,363 within Wichita). Fully 73% of the poll sites within Wichita will have more than 4,000 assigned registered voters; 21% will have more than 5,000.
Voters in disadvantaged central urban areas--which have seen some of the most dramatic reductions in neighborhood poll sites--who have transportation difficulties will be discouraged from participating. The same will be true of voters living at the Timbers, a housing complex for persons with disabilities, who saw the poll site across from their facility closed in 2006.

Given this, the speakers urge the Commissioners to endorse our supplemental budget request is a necessary corrective measure to prevent voter disenfranchisement, ensure voter access, and restore voter confidence.

July 31, 2007: Coalition Obtains Copy of County Budget Office Stance on Budget Request

Coalition obtains copy of County Budget Office's issue paper relating to the budget request. (Click on Budget Office Issue Paper to read. Adobe Acrobat reader required.)
Highlights of the paper:
1. The Election Commissioner does not support the coalition's request for money to restore poll sites and procure more voting machines. His position is neither surprising nor helpful in getting the County Commission to endorse the coalition's budget request.
2. The Election Commissioner feels that the $25,000 supplemental budget request made by the Election Office for 2008 will be sufficient to increase advance voting from 27% (in 2006) to 50% (in 2008) of all votes cast. This nearly 200% increase in advance voting will be achieved, the Election Commissioner contends, via spending $25,000 on informational/educational mailings to registered voters in the weeks prior to the November 2008 general election.
3. The final recommendation by the Budget Office to reject the coalition budget request is based on county staffs' belief that dramatic increases in advance voting promised by the Election Commissioner along with the paper ballot safety valve will forestall disaster during the 2008 general election.

August 13, 2007: Coalition Makes Final Appeal to County Commissioners to Fund More Poll Sites

Prior to their vote to adopt the final 2008 budget, the coalition submits a final written appeal to the County Commissioners to fund the coalition's poll restoration request(5).
(To read the letter in MS Word, click on Letter to Commissioners)
The coalition also receives an inquiry from Commissioner Gwen Welshimer asking for the coalition's observations on the administration of the August 7 Special Election in Sedgwick County. In response, the coalition sends a memo to the Commissioners contending that the performance of the Special Election cannot be seen, in any way, as a predictive analogue to the 2008 Presidential election. To do so would be akin to comparing apples to oranges(6).
(To read the memo in MS Word, click on Memo to Commissioners)

August 15, 2007: County Commission Sets Aside Some Monies for Election Enhancements

The County Commission unanimously expresses a desire for $100,000 in contingency funding in the 2008 budget to be made available for election enhancements. The contingency fund set aside was the result of the Commissioners deciding what to do with the $519,600 originally budgeted to fund Cowtown Museum--monies that were no longer needed since the City of Wichita has assumed control of Cowtown.
Commissioner Welshimer originally proposed setting aside $200,000, but that was rejected by Commissioners Winters, Unruh, and Parks, all of whom saw no reason to set aside that much, especially since the Election Commissioner had not requested any more money. For his part, Commissioner Norton joined Commissioner Welshimer is asserting that some monies should be set aside for election enhancements; he suggested $150,000.
However, the three remaining commissioners continued to express their belief that no monies were needed. Commissioner Parks expressed unwavering faith in the ability of the Election Office to get 50% of all voters to vote in advance in 2008. Commissioner Winters asserted that advance voting and the availability of paper ballots at the polls meant that the status quo was fine (stating "I think the system is working"). Commissioner Unruh indicated that he agreed with Bill Gale's view that the County should get through the 2008 General Election season with the status quo only.
In then end, all the Commissioners voted to set aside monies in a contingency fund, understanding that actual use of the funds for election enhancements would require approval by the Commission.
What does this vote mean? It is hard to say at this point. Assuming that the contingency funds are available for the 2008 election season (which is not guaranteed) use of the funds for elections will require the County Commission to approve a specific funding request made by Gale. However, Mr. Gale has repeatedly indicated throughout the Budget process that he feels confident that the Election Office has everything it needs for 2008. As a result, based on his previously stated views, Mr. Gale will certainly not request monies for the purpose of restoring poll sites throughout the county. Rather, as reported in the August 19 Wichita Eagle, Mr. Gale may request the funds to purchase 25-30 additional touch screen machines for use at advance voting locations.

Appendix 1

(1)COUNTY COMMISSION PRESENTATION FOR JULY 19, 2006
Good morning Commissioners, I welcome the opportunity to address you in behalf of the Sedgwick County Voter Coalition. I am Betty Ladwig, Co-President of the LWV Wichita-Metro. The League is a non-partisan organization whose purpose is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League studies and takes action on government measures and policies in the public interest. The League has assumed leadership of this coalition that was formed in June in response to the many phone calls and contacts we received after Sedgwick County Election Commissioner announced the drastic reduction in polling places for the upcoming elections. The coalition is made up of ordinary citizens who are concerned about the rights of voter, they represent 20 different groups in the city and include the addition of two new organizations this week.
The Election Commissioner is trying to justify a 70% reduction in polling sites, from 208 down to 62 sites by noting the ADA guidelines in HAVA. A number of the 62 polling sites still have ADA problems and many of the sites cut from the old polling sites were completely ADA compliant. HAVA required that Sedgwick County have ONE ADA compliant machine at each site, not necessarily all. The older machines could have been used while we were in transition to fewer polling sites in the future without the drastic 70% cut in one election year and at the same time introducing new voting methods. I know it would have been difficult using the old machines but it would have allowed the use of almost all the old polling sites.
The lack of any citizen input to this major decision on voting for Sedgwick County citizens is of grave concern to our coalition. We urge that a citizen's task force for the purpose of working with voting decisions and issues and difficulties be appointed for elections now and in the future.
We ask for assurance that if there are problems in this primary election that there will be changes made for the November election, including adding poll sites.
The new machines purchased in Nebraska from ES&S do provide a paper record for which we are grateful. There have been difficulties though with ES&S in other states and one report showed it counted backwards. We ask that a random audit be made of all machines during the August 1st and the November election.
HAVA requires all polling places to be ADA compliant as to access. We cheer the HAVA policy that expands the ease of voting for the disabled. Mr. Gale says that the old sites were rejected because they were not compliant or because they had parking problems.
All Wichita schools were eliminated leaving 2/3rds of all the new polling places in churches.
The ADA compliant schools (virtually all in the Wichita district) would have been fine with the neighborhood polls as before. They would NOT be adequate for parking of the 3,000 to 5,000 now assigned to almost all the poll sites within the city. The school district was not contacted about any problems with their schools.
In our 2004 election we had over 800 machines in use throughout Sedgwick Co. Gale only purchased 545 new replacement machines. He contends that the lower number of machines and fewer number of polling places won't be a problem because of the addition of an Optiscan machine at each location, this allows voters the option of a paper ballot. We thank the County Commission for funding these machines.
This still points out to us some concerns that:

Large numbers of voters assigned to the 62 sites will still have to find parking.
Large numbers of voters assigned to the 62 sites will still have to check in.
The lower number of poll workers (then were used when there were 208 sites) in conjunction with the introduction of new machines (both the ES&S and Optiscan) will almost certainly lead to delays.
Some voters will almost certainly be confused by the new machines.

The bottom line is that the combination of these issues will likely result in:

Voters who don't know where to go to vote.
Voters who are intimidated by the new machines.
Voters who decide not to vote rather than risk long lines
Voters who cannot stand in long lines for health reasons and will thus stay away
Voters who cannot stand in long lines due to work, child care or school schedules and who will stay away or leave after they see the lines.
Voters who do not understand or even know about early voting options.
Decreased voting by those who just don't want to deal with the changes.
Voters who have transportation problems getting to the new voting sites.
Voters not being able to get through to Election Commission Call center to see where their new polling site is.

Democracy is diminished in Sedgwick County by the cut in polling places. By law Voters have a right to equal access for voting.
The cost and difficulty of getting to a voting place can be like a modern day poll tax for some Sedgwick County residents. We call for signs to be placed at old polling places so people know where they are presently assigned. There is confusion among people as to where their new polling place is.
The difficulty of waiting in line can disenfranchise those who have time or physical restraints.
This cut threatens the very transparency in government that democracy requires.
Our Sedgwick County Voter Coalition speaks for the rights of all voters. We call for a dramatic expansion in the marketing and education of the public immediately so that the citizens know their options. Education about the reduction of the numbers of polling places, People need to know:

Where to Vote
When to Vote
How to Vote on the new machines

We are very grateful that County Manager Buchanan has seen that there is a great need for public education-that there was a gap in this by the Election Commissioner's Office. The County Manager has stepped up to the plate by creating TV and radio spots that we hope all media outlets will use extensively to get the word out. The three TV channels have the PSA's created by the County that were delivered last week and we thank you. Thanks too to Kristi Zuchovich & Chad Von Ahnen for all their help with PSA's and communication issues.
One of the Past Presidents of League noted that "Voter participation is the flesh that hangs on the bones of democracy." We as League members and Coalition members all also believe that. We, as League members and as a part of the coalition will assist in whatever way we can to ensure that voters are served as well as possible in Sedgwick County.
Thank you.
Betty Ladwig
Co-President, LWV Wichita-Metro

Appendix 2

(2)A Call to Action to Protect Voter Rights in Sedgwick County
Sweeping changes made in the administration of elections in Sedgwick County have eroded the rights of all county voters and are contrary to the interests of a vital democracy.
Following the nearly 70 percent reduction in voting sites, turnout for the August election was 40 percent lower than for the last gubernatorial primary election held in Sedgwick County. Only 16 percent of all registered voters participated in this election. Precisely why is a matter of speculation, but we have documented widespread voter confusion.
The Sedgwick County Voter Coalition (SCVC) was formed in response to concern about the radical reduction in polling sites--an arbitrary decision made with no opportunity for public comment. SCVC is a grassroots, nonpartisan organization comprised of individual citizens and 23 community organizations, including civic, religious, political, ethnic, educational, and advocacy groups. Our mission is to inform the public about the dramatic changes made to county voting processes and to advocate for all voters to ensure the widest voter participation.
SCVC asserts that the Sedgwick County Election Office must make changes prior to the November election to reverse declining voter turnout and enable the highest possible voter participation.
We are especially concerned that Election Commissioner Gale eliminated polling places in the poorest sections of the county such as a state legislative district in the center of Wichita that stretches over ten miles from north to south. Four years ago it had six polling sites; now it has only two. Many voters in such urban areas have transportation difficulties that discourage their participation.
Mr. Gale has cited the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) as justification for eliminating 145 polling sites and replacing all voting machines in Sedgwick County. The legislative intent of HAVA was to increase access to voting for all, not to reduce it. In spite of this, Mr. Gale ironically chose to eliminate a polling place very near the Timbers, a housing complex for persons with disabilities.
Based on our observations at the polls on August 1 and feedback from voters, SCVC issued formal recommendations to reverse this year's unprecedented decline in voter participation. (Visit http://lwvwichita.org/Recommendations.html.) These were given to Mr. Gale and to each County Commissioner. SCVC concludes that three recommendations are most urgent:
1. Increase the number of polling places to maximize voter convenience so that no site has more than 3,000 assigned registered voters. Presently, the average number of registered voters assigned to the 43 Wichita polling sites is 4,248 (17 of those have more than 4,500 voters). Special priority should be given to restoring polling sites in more disadvantaged neighborhoods in the community.
2. Guarantee voters' right to vote in private as mandated by Kansas voting laws. At most polling sites during the primary election this right was not protected.
3. Carry out extensive grassroots voter education informing voters about advance voting options, the location of their Election Day polling sites, and how to use the new machines and verify their ballot. The Election Office needs to use direct mail, internet as well as TV, radio, and print media to educate voters.
Sedgwick County residents must act now to protect their voting rights and insist that every government leader must work to expand rather than decrease voter participation.
Ernestine Krehbiel & Betty Ladwig
Co-Chairs, Sedgwick County Voter Coalition

Appendix 3

(3)SUMMARY OF SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET REQUEST:
A supplemental budget allocation for the 2008 fiscal year (a) to restore 20 polling sites throughout the county (for a total of 83 polling sites), and (b) to procure 150 additional touch screen voting machines (for a total of 715 machines)
BENEFITS:
1. Reduces disenfranchisement of voters:

More precinct polling places, leading to fewer assigned registered voters per site, will reduce voting delays on Election Day
More precinct polling sites will encourage higher voter participation
2. Increases voter confidence in the electoral process

RATIONALE FOR SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET REQUEST:
Higher than anticipated voter turnout for the November 2006 General Election in Sedgwick County provided the first real test of the capacity and limits of the Election Office's consolidation of county polling sites from 208 in 2005 to 63 in 2006 and reduction in voting machines from 820 in 2005 to 565 in 2007. Rather than creating greater efficiency and convenience for voters, however, fewer voting machines coupled with dramatic increase in voters assigned to each polling site for the General Election resulted, instead, in long lines and lengthy delays for many voters at certain polling places on Election Day.
Based on past years' voter participation patterns, upwards of 80% of registered voters in Sedgwick County will turnout for Presidential General Elections. The roughly 30% increase in voter turnout that can be expected in 2008 above the 51% voter turnout for the 2006 General Election means that nearly 70,000 more registered voters will be voting on Election Day 2008. Consequently, in light of the dramatic increase in voter participation that will accompany the 2008 election and given the current system's inability to efficiently, fairly, and conveniently serve all voters during the 2006 General Election with only 51% voter turnout, this supplemental budget request is a necessary corrective measure to restore voter convenience, access, and confidence.
SECTION A: RESTORATION OF 20 POLLING SITES
I. OPERATING EXPENSES
A. PERSONNEL COSTS
This supplemental budget request assumes 8 clerks per restored poll site (1 supervisory judge and 7 full-day-equivalent clerks) = $990 x 20 sites = $19,800 (plus mileage for 20 supervising judges)
Note: Compensation schedule: Supervising Judge: $150.00 (plus mileage); Clerk/Judge: $120.00; 1/2 day Clerk: $60.00 Note: Option for half-day poll workers was approved by Kansas legislature earlier this year. However, supervisory judges must work entire day.
Note: Mileage allowance cannot be less than $2.00 per KSA 25-2811(c)
B. SITE LEASING COSTS
Twenty (20) restored poll sites assuming current lease fee of $50 per site = $1,000
II. ONE-TIME CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
A. EQUIPMENT COSTS
Procurement of 20 ES&S M100 Optical Scan machines, one for each restored poll site: 20 machines at $5,025 per M100 Optical Scan machine = $100,500
SECTION A TOTAL = $121,300 (plus mileage for 20 supervising judges)
SECTION B: PROCUREMENT of 150 ES&S iVotronic ADA-compliant touch screen machines
I. ONE-TIME CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
A. EQUIPMENT COSTS
This section of the supplemental budget request asks for a one-time capital expenditure to fulfill Election Commissioner Bill Gale's original request for a total of 695 touch-screen machines : 150 machines @ $3,395 for each ES&S iVotronic ADA-compliant machine = $509,250
NOTE: Adding 150 more machines decreases the ratio of registered voters per machine from 427:1 (232,808/545) at present to 326:1 (232,808/715)
NOTE:
1. Retaining the status quo results in ratio of touch screen machines per poll site of 8.65 : 1 (545/63)
2. Purchasing 150 machines PLUS adding 20 poll sites results in ratio of 8.61 : 1 (715/83)
3. Purchasing 150 machines WITHOUT adding more poll sites results in ratio of 11 : 1 (715/63)
SECTION B TOTAL = $509,250
TOTAL REQUEST = $630,550 (plus mileage for 20 supervising judges)
Submitted June 22, 2007

Appendix 4

(4)COUNTY COMMISSION PRESENTATION FOR JULY 11, 2007
Good morning Commissioners. I thank you for the opportunity to again address you in behalf of the Sedgwick County Voter Coalition. I am Betty Ladwig, immediate past president of the LWV Wichita-Metro and Co-Chair of the SCVC. The League helped form the voter coalition, comprised of 23 civic groups, in June of 2006 after being contacted by voters alarmed by the 70% reduction in polling sites made by Sedgwick County Election Office.
Our purpose in coming before you today is to request that you endorse a supplemental budgetary request for 2008 fiscal year to:
(a) restore 20 polling sites throughout the county (for a total of 83 polling sites)
(b) procure 150 additional touch screen voting machines (for a total of 695 machines)
Our request was submitted to the County Manager and all of you on June 22.
We strongly urge you to endorse this supplemental budget request and include it in the final budget proposal for fiscal year 2008.
We are urging you to approve this supplemental budget in light of legislation pending in the U.S. Congress that, if enacted into law, will require states and municipalities, where electronic voting machines are the primary voting system, to have no more than 1,000 registered voters per polling place and no more than 200 voters per voting machine for Federal elections. At present, Sedgwick County has an average ratio of 3,695 voters per site and 427 voters per machine, and 32 sites have more than 4,000 assigned registered voters, and 19 with more than 4,500.
We have reviewed the proposed budget for the Election Office for the 2008 fiscal year--a budget request that fails to restore poll sites or add new stocks of voting equipment in advance of the 2008 Presidential Election.
If nothing else, what voters experienced on Election Day last November requires that poll sites be restored and more voting equipment be purchased.
Higher than anticipated voter turnout for the November 2006 General Election in Sedgwick County provided the first real test of the capacity and limits of the Election Office's consolidation of county polling sites from 208 in 2005 to 63 in 2006 and reduction in voting machines from 820 in 2005 to 545 in 2006. Rather than creating greater efficiency and convenience for voters, fewer voting machines coupled with a dramatic increase in voters assigned to each polling site resulted in long lines and lengthy delays for many voters at certain polling places.
In addition to long lines, 36 Coalition poll observers saw voters hindered by inadequate stocks of paper ballots and frequent machine problems. The most egregious delays documented on Election Day occurred at Metro-East Baptist Church--with 5,351 assigned registered voters and only 10 touch screen machines. On arriving at the site at 6:30 PM our observer estimated that there were over 100 people waiting to access voting machines. Many had to wait more than an hour; others became discouraged and left without casting their ballots. Other examples of problems are in the coalition's complete report that you received on April 26.
We thought you would like to see how things stand at present in your districts. Before you is a sample of your districts' ratios of voters to machines on Election Day. As you can see there are some large numbers. We calculate, based on the time allotted to vote by law, that at some of these very large polling sites with 500 registered voters per machine that it would take 41 hours for all eligible registered voters to cast their ballots on the touch screen machines.
Based on past years' voter participation patterns, more than 80% of registered voters in Sedgwick County will turnout for the 2008 Presidential General Election. This means that more than 70,000 additional voters will show up at the polls over the turnout we saw for the 2006 General Election. Consequently, given the current system's inability to efficiently, fairly, and conveniently serve all voters at all sites during the 2006 General Election with only 51% voter turnout, this supplemental budget request we have submitted is a necessary corrective measure to prevent voter disenfranchisement, ensure voter access, and restore voter confidence.
We feel strongly that the right of American citizens to vote is the fundamental right that defines our democracy, that strength is weakened when the electoral system fails to facilitate and encourage this right of citizen participation.
If the budget request we have made is not funded, the coalition feels that, come November 2008, we will, once again witness problems like those outlined earlier, only magnified.
The benefits of reopening 20 polling sites before the November 2008 Presidential election will help preserve the constitutional rights of Sedgwick County voters. The Sedgwick County Voter Coalition urges you as our elected representatives to ensure that every voter has an equal opportunity to vote in our communities. Do not risk an electoral meltdown in 2008!
Thank you.

Appendix 5

(5)LETTER TO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
August 13, 2007
Commissioner Dave Unruh
Sedgwick County Board of Commissioners
525 N. Main, Suite 320
Wichita, KS 67203

Dear Chairman Unruh:
As final adoption of the 2008 County Budget nears, the Sedgwick County Voter Coalition asks that you take affirmative action to safeguard the constitutional rights of Sedgwick County voters by approving full or partial funding of our request for monies to restore poll sites throughout the county.
The recommendation by the Budget Office to deny our request follows the Election Office in placing too much faith in advance voting to avert a repeat of the lengthy peak voting hour delays and accompanying disenfranchisement at the polls on Election Day that we observed last November. While we support advance voting, General Election voting behavior patterns to date suggest that the great majority of voters prefer to vote in-person at their precinct polling place on Election Day after all campaigning has ended.
We contend that the Election Office's goal of having 50% of all votes cast by advance voting next November is unrealistic. This goal represents a nearly 100% increase in advance voting over the percentage of all votes cast in advance last November. Yet, neither the Election Office nor the Budget Office provide any evidence that such a fantastic goal is achievable, especially if the only marketing strategy to be employed is direct mailings and the only resources earmarked for marketing advance voting is the Election Office's $25,000 supplemental request. Coalition members who are marketing experts have made it clear to us that postage for just one postcard (even assuming bulk rate) sent to all registered voters would eat up the entire $25,000. Such a limited investment cannot achieve the radical transformation in how and when voters cast their ballots that the Election Office is depending on in order to avert an electoral meltdown next November.
If no restorative action is taken, we can say the following about next November's election:

Historically, at least 81% of registered voters in Sedgwick County (or over 188,000) will turnout for Presidential General Elections. This means that more than 70,000 additional voters will show up at the polls over the turnout we saw for the 2006 General Election.
The 70% reduction in poll sites in 2006 means that voters will encounter poll sites with a median of 4,122 assigned registered voters (4,363 within Wichita). Fully 73% of the poll sites within Wichita will have more than 4,000 assigned registered voters; 21% will have more than 5,000.
Voters in disadvantaged central urban areas--which have seen some of the most dramatic reductions in neighborhood poll sites--who have transportation difficulties will be discouraged from participating. The same will be true of voters living at the Timbers, a housing complex for persons with disabilities, who saw the poll site across from their facility closed in 2006.

Given this, the coalition contends that our supplemental budget request is a necessary corrective measure to prevent voter disenfranchisement, ensure voter access, and restore voter confidence.
The benefits of restoring poll sites and adding more voting machines before the 2008 Presidential election will help safeguard the constitutional rights of Sedgwick County voters. Please help us ensure that every voter has an equal opportunity to vote in our neighborhoods and communities.
Sincerely,
Betty Ladwig & Ernestine Krehbiel
Co-Chairs, SCVC

Appendix 6

(6)MEMORANDUM
TO: Commissioner Gwen Welshimer and the BOCC
FROM: Sedgwick County Voter Coalition
DATE: August, 13, 2007
RE: Request for SCVC feedback on August 7th special election

Thank you for requesting feedback from the coalition concerning the August 7th Special Election. While we neither observed at the polls nor received reports of any significant problems with the administration of the Special Election, we wish, nonetheless, to offer a few observations.
While the 43% voter turnout on August 7 for a single-issue Special Election was impressive, we are more concerned about the 81% expected turnout for the 2008 Presidential Election. However impressive the turnout and relatively problem-free, we feel that it would be a serious error to presume that the Special Election can tell us anything about how the 2008 Presidential Election will proceed. An election with 43% turnout cannot suggest anything about an election with, historically, 81% turnout. The qualitative and quantitative difference between the General and Special Elections is evident in that the Election Office used only 362 of 565 touch screen voting machines for the Special Election.
Primary and Special Elections with low to modest turnout and few ballot items do not present a test to the capacity and limitations of Sedgwick County's election system as do General Elections, especially an election system that has undergone a 70% reduction in poll sites and a 45% reduction in voting machines since 2006. Last November's General Election was such a test and, as our detailed report found, rather than creating greater efficiency and convenience for voters, fewer voting machines coupled with a dramatic increase in voters assigned to each polling site resulted in long lines and lengthy delays for many voters at certain polling places.
The coalition was also not surprised that nearly 29% of all votes were cast in advance. First, there was only one issue on the ballot and--unlike General Election contests in November with lengthy, complex ballots--most voters had made up their mind before Election Day. Second, given that the Special Election was held in August, voters were inclined to vote in advance to avoid conflict with summer vacations and the oppressive heat. Third, the "Yes" and "No" campaigns provided information about advance voting in their campaign materials. Even with the advance voting information provided by both sides, the total percent of advance voters for the Special Election increased by only about 2% over the percent voting in advance for the 2006 General Election.
In conclusion, we cannot risk disenfranchising even one Sedgwick County voter by presuming that the Special Election is illustrative of what will occur when twice as many voters turnout for the 2008 Presidential Election. Please safeguard the voting rights of Sedgwick County neighborhoods and communities by taking affirmative action to restore poll sites and add voting machines.

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