Topeka — State officials on Tuesday promoted a way for Kansans to apply online to register to vote.
Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh, a Republican, and Kansas Department of Revenue Secretary Joan Wagnon, a Democrat, said the online program would make it easier for Kansans to register to vote.
“As technology continues to change and evolve, it is important that we implement strategies that will allow the citizens of Kansas to register in a way that is most convenient to them, without sacrificing the security and uniformity that sets our elections systems apart,” Thornburgh said.
The new system allows citizens with a valid Kansas driver’s license, or non-driver’s identification card, to apply to register to vote for the first time, or to make changes to an existing registration. It links voter registration with the Revenue Department’s driver’s license database to verify information.
Since the program was “soft” launched more than three weeks ago, 88 people have used it, officials said.
The application is available at the Secretary of State’s Web site, or the Department of Revenue’s Web site.
The application will go to the home county election office, which will verify its authenticity and then send the applicant a registration card. The process should take about a week.
As with traditional paper registration, a first-time voter in a county must show ID at his or her polling place on Election Day.
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Renaissance (anonymous) says…
that's really a big improvement on the previous paper/pencil system. Hopefully this improves Kansas voter turnout. Though my politics don't always align with his, I really respect the fact that Thornburgh has made voter turnout and voter registration, especially among youth, a key part of his administration.
exhawktown (anonymous) says…
I agree voter registration is important, and making it more convenient is a good idea. What I am repeatedly surprised and concerned about is the actual voting process. Every time I go to vote, I'm dumbfounded I'm not required to show ID, just to sign under my name.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…
"Every time I go to vote, I'm dumbfounded I'm not required to show ID, just to sign under my name. "
Just curious-- did you ever go to vote and find that someone had signed in and voted in your name? Have you ever heard of any such thing happening to someone else?
exhawktown (anonymous) says…
No, bozo, but I'd be pretty ticked if it did happen to me. And no, I haven't had first-hand experience with it happening, thankfully. Just curious, why do you ask? To prove the point you think it would be ridiculous to have such a requirement?
Made_in_China (Paul R. Getto) says…
Good move to on-line. Those looking for 'voter fraud' are generally on a hunt to find something that isn't there. It has happened, yes, but, to cite one example of the typical hysteria, there is no evidence of an 'illegal alien' registering and voting illegally in Kansas. On-line registration and eventually on-line voting is where it is moving. I doubt, however, it will increase turnout in elections. Convenience, or lack thereof, is not the issue; lack of engagement and cynicism is a more probably cause.
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…
"Just curious, why do you ask? To prove the point you think it would be ridiculous to have such a requirement?"
If it ain't broke, why fix it?
exhawktown (anonymous) says…
Ah, yes. Well, we could get into many different issues on the "If it ain't broke, why fix it" rationale, but let's stick to this one. I simply don't see a reason not to verify with a picture id rather than a signature, if the signature is indeed used as a mechanism by which to verify voter identification. For me, it comes down to this: which is easier to fake? A signature, or an id? If one mechanism is already required, why not make it more. . . fool-proof?
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus (anonymous) says…
Fool-proof? Why does it need to be "fool-proof" when there is no evidence that there are any significant efforts to fool election workers? The fact is that it would be impossible to mount any organized effort without easy detection, and that's what would be required to affect the outcome of an election. And absent that, there is absolutely no incentive for anyone to fake your or anyone else's signature just to vote.
So since your suggestion is clearly not motivated by the desire to fix anything that needs fixing, what is your motive?
jkanderson (anonymous) says…
A letter from the State of Kansas with Joan Wagnon's name at the top of the letterhead came to my home for my son today. It was demanding to know why he hadn't filed his Kansas Income Tax Return. Gee, maybe Joan, because he filed in Colorado in 2006 and Indiana in '07and '08. He has an Indiana driver's license, Indiana tags, is registered to vote in Indiana, just served on jury duty in Indiana. He is employed by the State of Indiana! Yet he still has to send a copy of his Indiana State Income Tax Return to Joan as proof!
Kansas couldn't check this out online? Excuse me if I don't put much faith in the integrity of online voter registration.