Politics

Officials do not expect a special election in Topeka to result in a legal battle because it didn’t reverse the outcome of a Republican primary for the Kansas House. 

Shawnee County officials Wednesday certified the results from the special election. It was held Tuesday for a single polling place in Topeka where some voters received the wrong ballots in the Aug. 7 primary election.

Gov. Sam Brownback and the Shawnee County district attorney continue to disagree about some alleged violations of the Kansas Open Meetings Act.

Brownback held a series of legislative dinners at Cedar Crest earlier this year. More than 90 lawmakers, virtually all Republicans, were invited.

As Stephen Koranda reports, the investigation looked at whether the legislative dinners violated the open meetings act.

Hutchinson voters in November might face ballot issues that would either repeal gay rights or broaden them. 

In June, the Hutchinson City Council added protections against discrimination in housing and employment for gay, lesbian and bisexual people.

After the vote, opponents began gathering signatures on petitions to require a November vote to repeal that ordinance. Today, the Kansas Equality Coalition announced it would gather signatures on a ballot question asking voters to approve wider protections for gays, lesbians and bisexuals.

A mix-up at a polling place in Topeka could affect the outcome of two Republican primary elections for seats in the Kansas House. At least 80 voters were given the wrong ballots.

The victor in one of the affected House races won by just 41 votes.