The Bourbon County Democrats met on Sunday, September 15, and elected Kate Emmett-Sweetser as their new county chairwoman.
The previous chairwoman, Kathy Dancer, had resigned in August when she accepted a job overseas.
Other officers are Vice-Chair Clint Walker, Treasurer Shirley Palmer, and Recording Secretary Jacki Prettyman.
The Bourbon County Democrats will hold their monthly meeting on Sunday, October 20, at 2:30 pm.
The location will be at the Brewhaus on the corner of Wall and National Avenue. All Democrats, Liberals, and Progressives are welcome to attend.
The Democrats are collecting coats and other winter garments to donate to charity. Those wishing to participate should bring their item(s) to the meeting on Sunday.
In three weeks voters will be electing government representation.
In addition, there will be a question to consider on the ballot.
In the November 5, 2019, General Election you will be asked to approve removing a census count adjustment.
“The amendment question seeks to do away with a census count specifically for college students and military personnel to be counted where they come from and not where they are at the time of their vote,” according to a report on KSN TV, Wichita, Oct. 14, 2019. For the whole report click below:
Following is how the amendment will appear on the ballot, followed by the Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab’s explanation of the question.
This is how it will read:
Constitutional Amendment
Vote Yes or No
Explanatory statement. The
purpose of this amendment is to
eliminate the adjustment of
the census taken by the United
States census bureau regarding
nonresident military personnel
and nonresident students when
reapportioning the Kansas senate
and house of representatives.
A vote for this proposition would
eliminate the adjustment of
the census taken by the United
States census bureau regarding
nonresident military personnel
and nonresident students when
reapportioning the Kansas senate
and house of representatives.
A vote against this proposition
would continue in effect the
requirement for the adjustment of
the census taken by the United
States census bureau regarding
nonresident military personnel
and nonresident students when
reapportioning the Kansas senate
and house of representatives.
Shall the following be adopted?
1. Reapportionment of
senatorial and representative
districts. (a) At its regular session
in 1989, the legislature shall by
law reapportion the state
representative districts, the state
senatorial districts or both the
state representative and
senatorial districts upon the basis
of the latest census of the
inhabitants of the state taken by
the authority of chapter 61 of the
1987 Session Laws of Kansas. At
its regular session in 1992, and at
its regular session every tenth
year thereafter, the legislature
shall by law reapportion the state
senatorial districts and
representative districts on the
basis of the population of the
state as established by the most
recent census of population taken
and published by the United
States census bureau of the
census. Senatorial and
representative districts shall be
reapportioned upon the basis of
the population of the state
adjusted: (1) To exclude
nonresident military personnel
stationed within the state and
nonresident students attending
colleges and universities within
the state; and (2) to include
military personnel stationed within
the state who are residents of the
state and students attending
colleges and universities within
the state who are residents of the
state in the district of their
permanent residence. Bills
reapportioning legislative districts
shall be published in the Kansas
register immediately upon final
passage and shall be effective for
the next following election of
legislators and thereafter until
again reapportioned.
(b) Within 15 days after the
publication of an act
reapportioning the legislative
districts within the time specified
in (a), the attorney general shall
petition the supreme court of the
state to determine the validity
thereof. The supreme court,
within 30 days from the filing of
the petition, shall enter its
judgment. Should the supreme
court determine that the
reapportionment statute is invalid,
the legislature shall enact a
statute of reapportionment
conforming to the judgment of the
supreme court within 15 days.
(c) Upon enactment of a
reapportionment to conform with
a judgment under (b), the
attorney general shall apply to the
supreme court of the state to
determine the validity thereof.
The supreme court, within 10
days from the filing of such
application, shall enter its
judgment. Should the supreme
court determine that the
reapportionment statute is invalid,
the legislature shall again enact a
statute reapportioning the
legislative districts in compliance
with the direction of and
conforming to the mandate of the
supreme court within 15 days
after entry thereof.
(d) Whenever a petition or
application is filed under this
section, the supreme court, in
accordance with its rules, shall
permit interested persons to
present their views.
(e) A judgment of the supreme
court of the state determining a
reapportionment to be valid shall
be final until the legislative
districts are again reapportioned
in accordance herewith.
KEY POINTS
The following is provided by Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason, who sent info from the Kansas Secretary of State to explain the amendment.
Kansas is the only state in the nation that adjusts its census numbers.
Adjustment is estimated to cost $835,000 in 2020.
In the 2010 adjustment, approximately 13,000 people, out of 2.9 million, were affected.
Eliminating the adjustment would give lawmakers an additional legislative session to complete redistricting.
Legislative and State Board of Education districts would be drawn using the same numbers as congressional districts.
The Legislature supported eliminating the adjustment with bi-partisan super majorities.
Summary:
A Proposition to amend section 1 of article 10 of the constitution of the state of Kansas.
In 2019, the Legislature passed a constitutional amendment (SCR1605) with a bipartisan super majority to eliminate a provision in the Kansas Constitution requiring Kansas to adjust census numbers for military personnel and college students. Intended to slow the impact of urban migration from rural Kansas to the more populated, eastern half of the state, the requirement has, historically, had the opposite effect by marginally increasing population numbers for urban areas.
The adjustment is antiquated, burdensome and expensive because it requires the Secretary of State’s office to contact every college student and member of the military residing in Kansas to determine their official residence. Keep in mind, the U.S. Census Bureau is responsible for counting individuals where they reside in the United States. They expend significant resources in communicating with Americans on the importance of the Census. Kansas is essentially asking students and military personnel the same question – at a cost of at least $835,000 – in a manner contradictory to what is asked by the Census Bureau.
Former Lt. Governor Tracey Mann Announces Candidacy for Congress Mann announces his campaign to bring conservative values
and a voice for Kansas agriculture to Washington
(SALINA, KS) – Former Lt. Governor and fifth generation Kansan, Tracey Mann, today announced his candidacy for Kansas’ First Congressional District.
“America faces urgent threats to our freedom. While President Trump is doing his best to right the ship, too many Washington politicians want to redefine our founding values and ideals. Socialism is on the rise. Efforts to impose government-run health care, increase taxes, restrict religious freedom and erode the Second Amendment are part of the same agenda. America needs leaders who will stand up to meet this challenge and fight to protect our founding beliefs,” Mann said.
“I was raised by wonderful parents on our family farm where I learned the values of hard work, perseverance and service. I recognize that to whom much is given much is required. When I served as Jerry Moran’s first intern I never imagined I would be the 50th Lt. Governor of Kansas. I believe that every generation of Americans has a responsibility to leave our country better off and stronger than how we found it. This is our moment to step up and serve,” Mann said.
Tracey Mann plans to run on a platform of bringing Kansas values and a voice for Kansas agriculture to Washington. The father of four beautiful children, Tracey is strongly pro-life and pro-Second Amendment. Raised on a family farm in Quinter, Kansas, Tracey learned first-hand the value of hard work and how important it is that Washington stays out of the way of Kansas producers. Tracey supports President Trump’s efforts to build the wall and curb illegal immigration.
“I will fight to restore fiscal discipline in Congress and will support sound agricultural policy. My experience in agriculture and business has taught me that politicians don’t create jobs; risk-takers and entrepreneurs create jobs. In Congress, I will do everything in my power to help job creators succeed. But above all, I will put Kansans and our Kansas values first.”
Tracey Mann served as the 50th Lt. Governor of the great state of Kansas. A fifth generation Kansan, he was born and raised on his family farm just south of Quinter.
He attended Kansas State University where he studied Agricultural Economics and was elected Student Body President. After college, Tracey started a career in commercial real estate.
Tracey has served on the Board of Directors of many Kansas organizations including: Kansas Agriculture and Rural Leadership (KARL), Kansas Chamber of Commerce, and The City Teen Center in Salina.
Tracey and his wife Audrey live in Salina with their 4 children (Quincy, Austin, Whitney and Elise).
The vote here sign sits in front of the north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National.
The Bourbon County Primary Election is today, August 6.
Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Exercise your right as a U.S. citizen to vote your conscience in this election.
From the Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason:
“This primary will only be for the City of Fort Scott and USD 234 position 3. The other schools, cities, FSCC, Extension District, etc. will not be on the Primary ballot.”
The November general election will be for Bourbon County cities, schools and K-State Extension Board positions.
Vote at these sites (taken from the Bourbon County Kansas website)
1st Ward Community Christian Church DRYWOOD Grace Baptist Church
2nd Ward Grace Baptist Church FRANKLIN Mapleton Community Building
3rd Ward Grace Baptist Church FREEDOM Fulton Community Building
4th Ward Community Christian Church MARMATON Redfield City Hall
5th Ward Community Christian Church MILLCREEK Redfield City Hall
6th Ward Community Christian Church OSAGE Fulton Community Building
7th Ward Grace Baptist Church PAWNEE Redfield City Hall
NORTH SCOTT Community Christian Church
SOUTH SCOTT Grace Baptist Church
TIMBERHILL Mapleton Community Building
The Primary Election will narrow the candidates down to two times the number of positions open.
The Bourbon County Primary Election is August 6, next Tuesday.
Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Exercise your right as a U.S. citizen to vote your conscience in this election.
Correction from the Bourbon County Clerk Kendell Mason:
“This primary will only be for the City of Fort Scott and USD 234 position 3. The other schools, cities, FSCC, Extension District, etc. will not be on the Primary ballot.”
The November general election will be for Bourbon County cities, schools and K-State Extension Board positions.
The following are a list of polling places in the county.
1st Ward Community Christian Church DRYWOOD Grace Baptist Church
2nd Ward Grace Baptist Church FRANKLIN Mapleton Community Building
3rd Ward Grace Baptist Church FREEDOM Fulton Community Building
4th Ward Community Christian Church MARMATON Redfield City Hall
5th Ward Community Christian Church MILLCREEK Redfield City Hall
6th Ward Community Christian Church OSAGE Fulton Community Building
7th Ward Grace Baptist Church PAWNEE Redfield City Hall
The “vote here” sign sits in front of the north wing of the Bourbon County Courthouse, 210 S. National.
“In-person advance voting began on July 22nd, it will end at noon on August 5,” Kendell Mason, Bourbon County Clerk said today. “As of right now we have had 107 voters.”
“The Courthouse is the only location to cast an in-person advance ballot,” she said. Courthouse hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Primary Election on August 6 will narrow the candidates down to two times the number of positions open.
Bourbon County will have a Primary Election for the following offices
CITY OF BRONSON-CITY COUNCIL (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)
JAMES E. OLSON
DANIELLE MINOR
MICHAEL STEWART
CITY OF FORT SCOTT-CITY COMMISSION (3 COMMISSION POSITIONS)
CHERYL L. ADAMSON
HAROLD (PETE) ALLEN
KEVIN “SKITCH” ALLEN
CYNTHIA BARTELSMEYER
CASEY BOLDEN
TRACY DANCER
BOBBY DUNCAN
BOB FARMER
JOSH JONES
DEB MCCOY
DIANA MORRISS
JEANIE PARKER
LINDSEY WATTS
MATTHEW WELLS
CITY OF FULTON (1 MAYOR & 5 COUNCIL POSITIONS)
NO CANDIDATES FILED
CITY OF MAPLETON (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)
NO CANDIDATES FILED
CITY OF REDFIELD-CITY COUNCIL (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)
WILMA K. GRAHAM
JIMMIE JACKSON
L.D. MORRISON
ANGELA HIXON
CITY OF UNIONTOWN-CITY COUNCIL (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)
co-hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce and the Young Professionals League.
The event will take place on Tuesday, July 23rd at the FSCC Ellis Fine Arts Center at 2108 S. Horton. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a meet & greet with the candidates and the forum will begin at 6 p.m.
The public is encouraged to submit questions for the candidates! Questions may be submitted to the Chamber no later than July 22nd.
– The first is USD-234 Position 3 Candidates. There are 5 candidates for 1 position; this race will be narrowed to 2 candidates after the primary election.
Candidates include: Kellye Barrows, Joe Foulk Sr., Michael Hoyt, Josh Jones, and Aaron Judy.
– The second is Fort Scott City Commission. There are 14 candidates for 3 positions; this race will be narrowed to 6 candidates after the primary election.
Candidates include:Cheryl Adamson, Harold (Pete) Allen, Kevin (Skitch) Allen, Cindy Bartelsmeyer, Casey Bolden, Tracy Dancer, Bobby Duncan, Bob Farmer, Josh Jones, Deb McCoy, Diana Morriss, Jeanie Parker, Lindsey Watts, and Matthew Wells.
The general public is invited and encouraged to attend this Election Candidate Forum on Tuesday, July 23rd. Light refreshments will be served.
Candidates should RSVP to the Chamber prior to the forum
A larger than average number of residents have signed up to be a candidate in the local elections. A few have filed to run in several contests at once.
Bourbon County elections will be decided on August 6 in the primary election and finalized in the general election on November 5.
There are two contests that have a higher than average amount of people running for positions in local government: Fort Scott City Commission and USD234 Board of Education.
In addition, one candidate Michael Hoyt has filed to run for three different positions: city, school and FSCC.
Josh Jones has filed to run for two positions: city and school.
Registration ends today, July 16
Voter registration will be open at the following places during regular business hours until today.
On July 16, 2019 the books for new registrations will close and remain closed until after the election, according to the Bourbon County website.
County Clerk’s Office-Courthouse: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
City Clerk-Fort Scott City Hall: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
City Clerk-Uniontown City Hall: 8:00 am – 11:00 am
City Clerk-Bronson City Hall: 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Persons who apply for services at registration agencies may register to vote at the following places during regular business hours:
Department of Motor Vehicles-108 W. 2nd Fort Scott, KS
Department of Social & Rehabilitation Services
The county clerk can be reached at (620)223-3800 ext. 191.
Candidates Forum
The Chamber of Commerce and the Young Professional League are hosting a candidates forum on July 23 at the Ellis Arts Center on the campus of Fort Scott Community College, 2108 S. Horton.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for a meet and greet with the candidates and the forum will begin at 6 p.m., according to a press release from the Chamber.
Light refreshments will be served.
The public is encouraged to submit questions for the candidates by July 22 to the Chamber in the following ways:
or drop off at the Chamber at 231 E. Wall St., or call them in to 620-223-3566,
Candidates should let the Chamber know prior to the forum whether they will be attending, by e-mailing [email protected] or by calling 620-223-3566.
Candidates
In the Fort Scott City Commission contest, 14 people have filed to run for three possible seats. Three incumbents will run for re-election.
” In 2017 we had four file, in 2015 we had three file and in 2013 we had four file,” for the Fort Scott City Commission election, Bourbon County Clerk Kendall Mason said when asked to compare the 2019 numbers.
Another highly contested race is for USD 234 Board of Education with 11 people who filed, of which three will be selected to serve.
The list of candidates is at the bottom of this feature.
Laws for voter registration
A citizen of the United States who is 18 years of age or older, or will have attained the age of 18 years at the next election, must register before he or she can vote. Registration is open until the close of business on the 20th day before the election, according to the Bourbon County website.
When a voter has been registered according to law, the voter shall remain registered until the voter changes name by marriage, divorce or other legal proceedings or changes residence.
The voter may re-register in person, by mail or other delivery when registration is open. Application forms shall be provided by the county election officer or the Secretary of State upon request. The application shall be signed by the applicant under penalty of perjury.
Kansas voters must show an acceptable form of a photo ID when casting their vote.
Per KSA 25-4610, voting machines will be tested on August 1st, 2019 at 2:00 pm at the Bourbon County Courthouse.
CANDIDATES THAT HAVE FILED FOR THE 2019 BOURBON COUNTY ELECTION
CITY OF BRONSON-CITY COUNCIL (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)
JAMES E. OLSON
DANIELLE MINOR
MICHAEL STEWART
CITY OF FORT SCOTT-CITY COMMISSION (3 COMMISSION POSITIONS)
CHERYL L. ADAMSON
HAROLD (PETE) ALLEN
KEVIN “SKITCH” ALLEN
CYNTHIA BARTELSMEYER
CASEY BOLDEN
TRACY DANCER
BOBBY DUNCAN
BOB FARMER
JOSH JONES
DEB MCCOY
DIANA MORRISS
JEANIE PARKER
LINDSEY WATTS
MATTHEW WELLS
CITY OF FULTON (1 MAYOR & 5 COUNCIL POSITIONS)
NO CANDIDATES FILED
CITY OF MAPLETON (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)
NO CANDIDATES FILED
CITY OF REDFIELD-CITY COUNCIL (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)
WILMA K. GRAHAM
JIMMIE JACKSON
L.D. MORRISON
ANGELA HIXON
CITY OF UNIONTOWN-CITY COUNCIL (3 COUNCIL POSITIONS)
