Earlier this summer the Johnson County Post asked readers which issues mattered most as the November 3 election approached. One of the top concerns was the recent closure of eight early‑voting sites, a move that reduced the county’s total from 18 to 12 locations. In response, the Post is publishing the answers candidates gave to a questionnaire about voting access.

Why early‑voting sites matter to families

One candidate emphasized that convenient, accessible early voting is not a partisan issue but a practical need for busy parents, shift workers, and seniors who want to avoid long lines on Election Day. The candidate noted that nearly one‑in‑five early votes in 2024 came from the eight sites that were eliminated, and that the county had already budgeted funds to keep all 18 sites open.

Calls for a transparent, data‑driven process

Another respondent argued that a decision affecting more than 460,000 registered voters should be made only after a transparent, data‑driven process that includes meaningful public engagement. Under Kansas law, Johnson County is one of only four counties where the election commissioner is appointed by the Secretary of State rather than elected by voters or selected by the County Commission. While the Commission controls the budget and has pledged to fund every site, it does not decide where voters cast their ballots.

Support for the Election Commissioner’s approach

A third candidate expressed agreement with the Election Commissioner’s decision, noting that the net reduction of six sites was offset by the addition of two new locations in growing communities such as Spring Hill and De Soto. The candidate highlighted that the new configuration places every early‑voting site on the same days and hours, making the process easier for voters to understand. According to the candidate, roughly 90 % of county voters now live within seven minutes of an early‑voting location.

Requests for records and accountability

One candidate announced plans to file a Kansas Open Records Act request for maps of the early‑voting sites before and after the reduction, analyses of voter accessibility radii, site‑by‑site turnout data from recent elections, cost and staffing information, and any memorandum explaining the rationale for the closures. The candidate said that once the data are reviewed, a judgment will be made about whether to support or oppose the decision, and warned that failure to disclose the rationale could be grounds for removal of the commissioner.

Concern over reduced access

Another respondent voiced profound disappointment, joining 20 elected officials in urging the reinstatement of the eight eliminated sites. The candidate cited that the eight sites accounted for 19 % of early votes in the 2025 general election and that the August 2026 primary saw a drop of more than 30,000 early votes compared with the 2022 mid‑term primary. Specific neighborhoods in Westwood and Leawood lost sites, displacing roughly 7,000 voters.

Calls for law changes

That same candidate argued that Kansas should amend its law so that the county clerk, rather than an appointed commissioner, serves as the chief election officer in Johnson County, aligning the county with the 96 % of Kansas counties where the clerk holds that responsibility.

Advocating expanded voting opportunities

A final candidate stressed that eliminating sites creates unnecessary barriers for residents without reliable transportation and for those balancing work and family duties. The candidate called for expanding, not reducing, early‑voting options and urged the Election Commissioner to hold regular public presentations before making significant changes.

What the County Commission can do

All respondents agreed that, while the Commission does not set early‑voting locations, it can use its budget authority and public‑meeting schedule to request data, ask questions, and promote transparency. By demanding clear explanations and encouraging community input, the Commission can help ensure that future decisions about voting access are made in the best interest of Johnson County families.

Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.