Voter registration effort kicks off in KCK

In Kansas City, Kansas, Brian McClendon today discussed a new app, KSVotes.org, that is being launched to help voters register.

While today is the voter registration deadline to vote in the Missouri primary, Kansans still have one more week before their voter registration deadline in order to vote in the Aug. 7 Kansas primary election.

Today area voter registration organizers met in Kansas City, Kansas, to launch a weeklong effort to encourage voter registration and voter engagement in Kansas, but especially in Wyandotte and Johnson counties. Eligible Kansas residents who want to vote in the upcoming Aug. 7 primary election must be registered to vote by July 17.

Voter engagement participants said they want to ensure that Kansas residents can make their voices heard and it starts with registering to vote.

“Voting is a constitutional right, not a privilege,” said Brian McClendon, the co-creator of KSvotes.org, a new, non-partisan voter registration app. “You have a right to make your voice heard and your vote count.”

“Registering to vote in Kansas should be as efficient as using Google Maps to find your way home,” McClendon said. He demonstrated how eligible Kansas residents can register to vote at home or on-the-go using KSvotes.org online or by using the app on your phone or tablet. It only takes three to five minutes to register to vote in Kansas using the non-partisan app.

“A federal judge’s ruling last month overturned the Kansas voter registration law that had led to voter suppression,” McClendon said. “The former law stopped tens of thousands of eligible Kansans who wanted to register to vote. That restrictive law is gone. Now voter registration is literally at your fingertips.”

Today’s non-partisan voter registration and training event was launched with the help of Let America Vote that supports voter rights, and The Voter Registration Project, whose mission is to register all the applicable voters across Kansas and Missouri.

Jason Kander, left, and Brian McClendon today helped launch a voter registration effort.

Wednesday at the Wyandotte County Fair

The Wyandotte County Fair opened on Tuesday, July 10, at the fairgrounds at 13700 Polfer Road. The fair will continue on Wednesday through Saturday. The hours on Wednesday are 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Photo by Steve Rupert)

Free concert: 7 p.m., Back Road Express, Free Stage.

Hedrick’s Petting Zoo and Camel Rides: 5-10 p.m.

Hedrick’s Pig Races: 6, 7 and 9 p.m.

Free Magic Show: 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., Red Barn.

4-H Swine Judging: 7 p.m., arena.

Carnival: 5-10 p.m. Carnival wristbands at $25.

Other attractions: 4-H exhibits, open exhibits, vendors’ booths, military vehicle displays, bounce house and more.

Fair hours: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Location: 13700 Polfer Road, Kansas City, Kansas. East of K-7 on Polfer Road.

Admission: $5 per car.

Dates: The Wyandotte County Fair continues now through July 14.

Refreshments: Those attending the fair may bring in one bottle of water. Food and refreshments are available for purchase.

More information: Check with the fair’s Facebook page and website, https://www.facebook.com/Wyandotte-County-Fair-663607383718211/ and https://www.wycofair.com/.
4-H information is at https://www.facebook.com/WyCo4H/.

Also see: https://wyandotteonline.com/plans-underway-for-annual-county-fair-next-week/
and https://wyandotteonline.com/4-hers-gear-up-for-annual-county-fair-this-week/

UG budget presentation scheduled Thursday

The Unified Government Commission will hear the UG administrator’s budget presentation at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 12.

The special UG meeting will be held in the Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall, 701 N. 7th St., Kansas City, Kansas.

UG Administrator Doug Bach will present his recommendations on the budget to the UG Commission at that time.

Also scheduled on July 12 is a UG Commission meeting at 7 p.m. in the Commission Chambers.

On the agenda for the 7 p.m. meeting are a police awards ceremony and the nomination of John Altevogt to the Landmarks Commission, nominated by Commissioner Ann Brandau Murguia.

Other upcoming UG budget workshop dates include:

• 5 p.m. Monday, July 16, UG Commission to set maximum mill levy, budget workshop, in fifth floor conference room, City Hall;
• 5 p.m. Thursday, July 19, budget workshop, fifth floor conference room, City Hall;
• Monday, July 23, budget workshop, immediately following the standing committee meetings that begin at 5 p.m., fifth floor conference room, City Hall;
• 5 p.m. Thursday, July 26, budget workshop, fifth floor conference room, City Hall;
• 5 p.m. Monday, July 30, budget workshop and final public hearing, Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall;
• 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 2, budget adoption, Commission Chambers, lobby level, City Hall.