Editor’s note: GateHouse News Service asked candidates running in Tuesday’s primary election to fill out Q&A forms. The following responses were sent in by the secretary of state candidates. On Saturday, the responses from U.S. Senate candidates from our area will appear.
Democrats
Chris Steineger
1. Why do you believe you are best qualified to be Kansas secretary of state?
Answer: I am the most well-rounded, broadly experienced candidate in this race.
During my 14 years in the legislature, I studied a broad range of issues and have traveled Kansas extensively. I am familiar with our state’s different regions, the different sectors of our economy and who we are as a people.
I am known as a creative, independent thinker open to ideas from all political viewpoints.
I am a small business owner who knows how to analyze and take risks, work within a budget and the value of customer service.
2. What, in your opinion, is the most pressing issue facing the office for which you are running?
Answer: Low voter turnout is the biggest problem in Kansas elections, not undocumented aliens or fraud.
The secretary of state’s office can increase voter participation by making voting easier and more accessible.
Early voting laws in Kansas have already improved voter participation.
1) I will explore expanding early voting locations to banks, grocery stores and other locations voters frequently visit. 2) I will also encourage more polling locations to move into schools to help teach and inspire our future generations.
3. How do you intend, if elected, to carry out your goals?
Answer: The secretary of state is responsible for providing fair elections.
My first goal is to operate the office in a nonpartisan and customer-friendly manner. My second goal is to increase voter participation and election security by updating our state’s voting technology so all 105 counties use the same voting system, and that there is a paper record of every vote cast.
My third goal is to improve the office’s business role. I will work with the office’s customers, such as small business owners and everyday citizens, to improve the secretary of state’s Web site and online filing system to make business filings easier and more accessible.
Chris Biggs
1. Why do you believe you are best qualified to be Kansas secretary of state?
Answer: I’m a lifelong Kansan with a true commitment to public service.
In the time I’ve served as the secretary of state, I’ve rolled up my sleeves and gotten to work, making finding ways our office can better serve the people of Kansas a priority.
2. What, in your opinion, is the most pressing issue facing the office for which you are running?
Answer: We have a serious problem with voter apathy in the state of Kansas. As secretary of state, I am working to improve voter turnout through education.
The secretary of state’s office strives to make voter registration simple and accessible to all eligible Kansas voters and encourages voters to participate in the electoral process by promoting advance voting.
3. How do you intend, if elected, to carry out your goals?
Answer: If given the opportunity to continue to serve as secretary of state, I will always put the public’s interest ahead of politics and will work to increase the accessibility of the office, protect Kansas consumers, and safeguard the rights of every eligible voter.
Republicans
J.R. Claeys
1. Why do you believe you are best qualified to be Kansas secretary of state?
Answer: Our next secretary of state will be charged with implementing a statewide voter identification program.
J.R. Claeys has experience implementing these programs, verifying vote counts, and advising countries on ways to improve processes at the polls to keep elections secure and accessible.
J.R. is not a lawyer or a lifelong bureaucrat. He started businesses in Kansas and understands the consumer side of the office.
J.R. has been working as an advocate for small businesses — fighting for paperwork reduction, regulatory reform and tax relief for job creators. He has the experience to keep business fees low and paperwork at a minimum.
2. What, in your opinion, is the most pressing issue facing the office for which you are running?
Answer: Educating voters and poll workers across the state on new voter identification procedures while preparing for the effects of this new policy at the polling places will be J.R.’s number one priority.
Once voter identification procedures are signed into law, J.R. will implement a plan to make sure every eligible vote is counted.
The alternative to educating the public and our poll workers of new voter identification procedures is piles of provisional ballots after Election Day.
Those ballots will require additional staff to verify their eligibility. Processing ballots in this way will be costly for county clerks and elections commissioners.
3. How do you intend, if elected, to carry out your goals?
Answer: J.R. Claeys will coordinate a statewide campaign with county clerks to educate voters and poll workers across the state on voter identification. By coordinating through the secretary of state’s office, Harvey County can have the same resources available to it that Sedgwick County does.
On the business side of the office, J.R. will search out money-saving efficiencies for the tens of thousands of Kansas businesses that interact with the office.
As a fee-based agency, J.R. understands that every dollar spent by the secretary of state is a dollar charged to a small business in the form of a filing fee.
Elizabeth Ensley
1. Why do you believe you are best qualified to be Kansas secretary of state?
Answer: I started my career in the secretary of state’s office. I worked 11 years in every department of the office, including Business Services.
I currently serve as election commissioner for Shawnee County. I was first appointed in 1992 and was re-appointed five times by two different secretaries of state.
I have overseen the upgrade of voting equipment, implemented the National Voter Registration Act, and directed the successful execution of the Help America Vote Act.
My experience working in and with the Secretary of State's office is far above and beyond that of my opponents.
It’s my experience and qualifications that has gotten me the endorsements of former U.S. senator Nancy Landon Kassebaum, former governor and secretary of state Bill Graves, former secretaries of state Ron Thornburgh and Jack Brier, and nine of the past Kansas Republican Party chairs.
I also am the only candidate who has experience rooting out and prosecuting voter fraud.
I will be ready to go to work for the people of Kansas on day one.
2. What, in your opinion, is the most pressing issue facing the office for which you are running?
Answer: Currently, our men and women serving in the Armed Forces do not have the same access to the ballot as we do.
They do not get to vote on local ballot questions even though they live and pay taxes in the district.
I believe this should be changed. I have testified before the Kansas Legislature to change the Kansas Law on this issue and will continue to advocate for this change.
3. How do you intend, if elected, to carry out your goals?
Answer: I believe we need to provide the necessary tools to our local election officials to ensure our elections are safe, secure and accurate.
One way to do this is to provide a clearinghouse to our election officials of information that will assist them in preparing for elections.
I also am in favor of requiring a government issued photo identification at the polling place.
E-Government is another one of my top priorities.
I intend to keep up the investment in online business services.
I will continue the long-standing tradition of the secretary of state’s office that Kansans have come to know and expect by making sure the office remains efficient and serves the needs of business, banking, farmers and all Kansans.
I am the only candidate in this race who has balanced a budged, managed a staff and paid payroll taxes, all under the watchful eye of the Kansas taxpayer.
I will use this experience to work in the secretary of state’s office for the people of Kansas.
