• Establish and always maintain an open-door policy.
  I will always seek your input. I will find new and creative ways to involve citizens in our county government. I will make my office a true resource for all citizens. Also, I will make our office accessible 24 hours a day through an updated website. I will establish an open-door policy where county information will be shared with you with ease, efficiency and friendly customer service.
   
• Establish more election day polling places throughout the county and Hays.
  Voting will be easier. I will also work to establish satellite polling places for advanced voting in rural areas and assisted living centers. This is an important way of bringing my office to you.
   
• Stop the current practice of changing polling places.
  Studies show that constantly moving polling place locations reduces voter participation and turnout. I will implement an information campaign to make sure that all Ellis County residents know where their polling places are located. I will establish consistency.
   
• Seek to install paper backup ballots for electronic voting machines.
  These are currently not available for voters and they should be. Some people are intimidated and distrustful of these machines. When using the proposed electronic voting machines, you will get a paper receipt of your vote which will allow you to confirm that your vote was registered the way you wanted. A “paper trail” is also essential for re-counts and for reliability questions.
   
• Study and investigate possibilities for mail-out ballots.
  Mail-out ballots, in many areas, have produced the highest participation.

I have been studying the duties of County Clerks in Kansas and have concluded that the clerk should be a purveyor of information for the courthouse. When you elect me, I will update the current website to include as much public information as possible. I will make all the agendas, minutes, budgets and other information easily accessible.

Many of our residents have not had enough information about the new electronic voting machines, or how to use them. The absence of paper printouts for electronic voting machines has lowered our resident’s confidence in the process. The percentage of residents of Ellis County who vote in our elections has spiraled downward consistently in all recent election cycles. Why? Studies suggest that voter turnout has fallen due to the reduction of and the numerous changes to the polling locations.

I pledge to you to bring this needed leadership and positive change to the Clerk’s office.
 

   
Paid for by Dottie Staab for Ellis County Clerk, Kevin Schukman, Treasurer  -  Website by Pam Pohly