You can watch the full forum on the Chamber in Hays's Facebook page HERE.
BY CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Ellis County Clerk candidates agreed on several issues at a candidate forum on Monday night.
They sharply disagreed on the issue of creating a polling location on the Fort Hays State University campus.
Incumbent Republican Bobbi Dreiling has been under fire, including a campaign by the ACLU, for her decision not to open a polling location on campus.
"I'm not in favor of a polling location on the FHSU campus at this time," she said. "I do not think it's warranted."
Dreiling said according to FHSU, about 1,650 students live on campus. As of last week, 69 people who lived on campus were registered to vote in Ellis County.
Dreiling closed a polling location and combined the polling locations for Precinct One, Wards One and Two at Messiah Lutheran Church, 2000 Main
In those two precints, Dreiling said there are 429 registered voters who are 18 to 24 out of 1,420 registered voters.
"I don't want to inconvenience 900 voters," she said.
Dreiling cited issues with driving and parking on campus as barriers for elderly voters.
She said Messiah Lutheran Church is a central location.
Challenger Democrat Laura Allen, who lives in the ward in question, said she favors having a polling location on campus.
"When we talk about elections, they are not static. They are dynamic," Allen said.
She said the students living on campus are eligible to vote in Ellis County. She said if those students were encouraged to register to vote in Ellis County, they might be more likely to stay in Ellis County after they graduate.
As a voter in the affected ward, Allen said she would prefer to vote on campus.
"I think more can be done to make sure people are included and feel heard," she said.
The candidates were asked what they would do to encourage more FHSU students to register to vote in Ellis County.
Dreiling said she sent information on voting deadlines to the American Democracy Project student group. She said students had not contacted her to host a voter registration event.
Allen said she would host a voter registration drive and not wait for students to contact her.
The candidates were asked what duties would be their priorities as county clerk.
Dreiling said elections account for about 25% of her duties. However, she sets tax values in June and the mill levy in November.
"Those are top priorities that I make sure they are done correctly," she said.
She said she also values customer service and maintains an open-door policy for the public.
Allen said elections would be a priority as well being open to communication with the public.
The candidates were asked if they thought there was any fraud in elections.
Allen said she believed in the security and integrity of elections.
Dreiling said, "I don’t have any reason to believe there is fraud in elections. I don’t have proof. One thing I can promise everyone here sitting in this room and the citizens is that Ellis County has the most secure election process you can find."
The candidates were asked how they work with other county officials to meet statutory deadlines.
Allen said she would communicate with her counterparts and ensure she held herself accountable.
Dreiling said she works well with the current county treasurer.
Dreiling said she also has to work with the clerks of Russell, Rooks, Trego, and Rush counties to turn over the tax rolls to the county treasurer by Nov. 1.
Both candidates said they wished the county clerk was not a partisan position.
Dreiling said she would do her best to serve all of Ellis County's residents. Allen said she respects all people's beliefs.
The last day to register to vote for the 2024 general election is today. Advance voting will begin on Monday at the Ellis County Administration Center, 718 Main St., Hays. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.