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Secretary of State urges stronger protections for poll workers and seeks clearer rules for drop boxes
Summary
Secretary Scott Schwab told the committee he will seek laws to increase penalties for threats against election workers and to regulate drop boxes, including location and monitoring requirements; staff said counties currently follow guidelines and the Secretary's office lacks enforcement authority.
Scott Schwab, Kansas Secretary of State, told the Committee on Elections that his office will seek legislative changes to better protect election workers and to establish clearer rules for ballot drop boxes.
Schwab said threats and harassment of poll workers are increasing and cross the political spectrum. “People are angry these days… I don't want you taking out an election official,” Schwab said, arguing the state should increase criminal penalties for threatening or trying to harm election workers. He said some threats are directed at young poll workers and that protections should prevent long-term harm.
On drop boxes, Schwab said current guidance exists but the office lacks statutory authority to require specific siting or security. He said the office wants rules that would keep drop boxes on county property, bolted and monitored, and that would give clerks a clear standard to point to if the boxes are challenged or damaged. Schwab and members cited Colorado and Washington as examples with some prescriptive rules.
Schwab also described a new certification program for election workers and encouraged legislators to serve as poll workers to better understand the process.
