Vote No Rally

A “Vote No” rally to oppose the proposed amendment known as “Value Them Both” was held along North Main Street at North Main Park in El Dorado, on Sunday, June 26th following the recent Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.

Protestors, with signs and chanting “This is what democracy looks like” and “Vote No,” stood on both sides of North Main Street at North Main Park to protest the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

The rally was organized by Suzanne Scribner and was attended by both men and women, and counted registered Democrats, Republicans and Independents in their number.  They all stood together in bipartisan unison to have their voices heard and called for a “NO” vote against the “Value Them Both” proposition that will be on Kansas ballots on August 2nd.

The proposed amendment to the Kansas Constitution will be decided by Kansas voters during the primary election held on that date.

“We need to show that there are people in Butler County, Kansas, who are upset and we’re not going to be quiet,” said Scribner. 

Women’s healthcare and access to health care in the state of Kansas is top of mind for a group of young women who attended the rally.

“We’re here supporting women’s reproductive rights,” said one person who asked to remain anonymous.  “My boss is avidly “vote yes” and I don’t want to risk losing my job.”

“I’m here to protect the right and fight for the right for myself, my daughter, for every woman,” said Hali Stevenson. She attended the rally with her husband and their new born son. 

“It’s unbelievable that it’s 2022 and we haven’t progressed to a state of equality,” said Stevenson. “For me it’s about removing beliefs from the equation. “

“Not everyone in the United States in Christian.  Not everyone believes the propaganda that is being pushed,” she said.  “It’s important to raise my voice for choice and make it about the beliefs of everyone and not a select few.”

“Pro-choice is an important thing to keep as a human right,” said Linda Swan.  She was joined at the rally by her husband Mike Swan. 

“I think the repercussions of this are dangerous,” said Mike Swan. “It was a hard-fought for right. The makeup of the court now was convoluted and it’s dangerous going forward with some other issues.  I’m very upset about that,” he said. 

Rally attendee, Debbie Hill shared her own personal story. “I had a miscarriage once and it was the most extreme pain I’ve ever been through,” she said. 

“I almost had to force the doctor to perform the D&C,” said Hill.  “Without a “No” vote, we will not have access to that procedure. We have to vote no.”  

On the ballot in November:

“Shall the city retailers’ sales tax in the amount of one percent be extended for a period of five years from and after the first day of October 2019, in the City of El Dorado, Kansas to take effect on the first day of October 2019, with the first $600,000 to be allocated annually for street rehabilitation within the City of El Dorado, the next $1,650,000 to be allocated annually for property tax reduction, the next $100,000 to be allocated annually for a fund for economic development purposes, and with the balance being distributed per Ordinance G-1281, which retailers’ sales tax shall continue in full force and effect?”

There is still time to register for the upcoming election.  The registration deadline is October 16, 2018.

Advanced voting begins October 22nd at 8:00 am (County Courthouse) and ends November 5th, with the General Election to be held on November 6, 2018.  

The City has generated an average of $2.46 million in local sales tax since 2012.  Those funds represent approximately 18% of the City’s general operating budget. The General Fund is used to fund various public services such as, law enforcement, fire protection, park maintenance and operations.

A “Yes” vote will allow for the continuation of the one-cent (1%) local sales tax.  The funds generated are to be allocated as follows:

1. $1.65 million to property tax reduction;
2. $600,000 to street maintenance;
3. $100,000 to economic development; and
4. The remaining balance to the “excess” sales tax program to be allocated to municipal projects and functions.

Additionally, it preserves the existing five-year sunset provision, requiring the sales tax to be re-authorized by voters in five years or otherwise sunset.

To learn more, visit http://www.eldoks.com/404/Sales-Tax- Vote-2018

 

Promoting Confidence in Voting

On National Voters Registration Day, the Board of Butler County Commissioners heard from Angie Frison of Election Systems & Software during a work session.

The commissioners are considering the purchase of new voting and tabulating machines.

According to Ms. Frison, the demand for paper ballots has increased in the wake of the probe into Russian meddling of 2016 election.

Angie Frison of ES&S discussing the voting and tabulation machines.

Voting will be a two-step process in the future with the tabulator(left) counting the ballots created by the and ballot machine (right).

As she demonstrated the machines, she explained their functions.  The DS450 would aide in sorting ballots including mail-in ballots.

Further work sessions will be held to identify potential sources of funding.