Five general election ballots were sent by email on Monday to local military personnel serving overseas, according to County Clerk Linda Schreppel.
‘This is definitely breaking ground on a new idea,” said Schreppel.
Military personnel have always been able to vote through conventional absentee ballot methods, but this is the first time the voting has been offered by email.
She said the five Labette County residents were sent ballots along with instructions and a caution that they would sever their right to cast a secret ballot.
“I will be the only one who knows who they vote for and we have a procedure to make sure their wishes are honored,” said Schreppel.
If the military personnel choose to email it to Schreppel, they can do so. Her process will be to print out the email, place the printed ballot in an envelope, seal it and staple a copy of the email to the envelope so it can be verified on election night.
She asked the soldiers to send their ballots as an attachment then type in the email message box: “By casing this ballot in this manner, I (state your name) voluntarily sever my rights to case a secret ballot.”
Military service personnel also may return their ballots by U.S. Mail. They should mark “Election Ballot” on the lower left of the envelope if they mail them.
Anyone with questions about this procedure may contact Schreppel at 620 795-2138.