Election 2008
In-depth coverage of the candidates and the issues, all leading up to the Aug. 5 primary and the Nov. 4 general election.
Topeka — The general election ballot will indicate that state Sen. Roger Pine lives in Lawrence when he actually doesn't.
Pine, a Republican who represents the 3rd senate district, had listed his business address - Pine Family Farms, 1783 E. 1500 Road in Lawrence - as his residence for voting purposes and when he filed for re-election with the Secretary of State's office.
But in the August GOP primary, he had to file a provisional ballot because a poll worker knew he didn't live at that address. He has an address in Linwood in Leavenworth County.
Brad Bryant, deputy assistant secretary of state for elections and legislative matters, said candidates for state office are supposed to list their ballot city as the city where they reside.
He said Pine's ballot city of Lawrence probably couldn't be changed at this point because the ballots are already in the process of being made.
Bryant said last week about the Pine situation, "This is the first I've heard of this."
Pine's Democratic opponent, Tom Holland, who is currently a state representative from Baldwin City, said Tuesday he wasn't going to raise the issue against Pine. "I suppose it's legal," Holland said of Pine listing Lawrence on the ballot.
Pine has said he listed Lawrence as his residence because that is where he grew up and lived most of his life. And, he said, in recent years he occassionally spent the night at the family business in Lawrence.
But since the primary, he has re-registered to vote in Leavenworth County.
The 3rd senate district includes North Lawrence, much of eastern Douglas County, including Eudora and Baldwin City, all of Jefferson County and much of Leavenworth County outside of the cities of Leavenworth and Lansing.
Comments
jayhawklawrence 9 years ago
Pine also supports Melvin Neufeld and his cronies plans for Coal Plants in Kansas.He does what he is told.Do we need these kind of people representing us?
Bob_Keeshan 9 years ago
If Pine is listing Lawrence because that is where he has lived most of his life, then what city does he expect Pat Roberts to list as his residence?What a total fraud. It is embarrassing he holds office, but at least there is the opportunity to toss him out this year.
kmat 9 years ago
To those who live in this district, please vote this clown out of office. Remember, he doesn't want evolution taught in public schools and wants to turn much of the area north of town into an idustrial zone, wasting all that good farmland and hurting the other family farms in the area. Just what Lawrence needs is another half empty business park like the one off K-10.I grew up in Overland Park and still crash on occassion at my parents home when visiting them. Should I then list my parents address as my residence for voting? My husband's from L.A., so I guess he should be voting in CA instead of KS.Pine is a moron. Hopefully on his way out.
Bob_Keeshan 9 years ago
Informed, I'll do you one better - Will Pine be prosecuted for voter fraud for all the ballots he has cast for the past 9 years?This wasn't some innocent mistake. He was knowingly casting ballots in the wrong precinct, participating in "local" elections that weren't local to him at all.
LiberalDude 9 years ago
We need to get rid of Pine!!!
Strontius 9 years ago
Pine sent out his first mailer piece recently. It was introducing himself to his district because no one here knows who he is. That's pretty sad considering he's been the state senator of the 3rd district for years. Someone should tell Pine that you don't get a cookie for just voting on bills. That's the easy part. What legislation has Pine written? Looks like we've got another do nothing republican who ran under the elephant and won.
Bob_Keeshan 9 years ago
Roger Pine was knowingly acting in a criminal matter. He is a State Senator. I think it goes without saying that he has dealt with several bills that deal with residency and voting.I bet he has railed against the "voter fraud" being perpetrated by "illegals." What a hypocrite.
dontcallmedan 9 years ago
Just because something is printed on a ballot it does not make it real, true or to be taken seriously. For example, the fall ballot will list Sarah Palin as a candidate for Vice President of the United States of America. Can that really be true? Seriously.
Commenting has been disabled for this item.