Q In the upcoming election, we will vote on the school board members, the smoking ban ordinance and on three city commission candidates running for three open seats. To show my displeasure with the sitting commission, can I just vote on the other issues and leave the commission vote boxes blank or vote for only one?
A “You can vote for one or none or all of the above, or whatever you want to do,” said Lyon County Clerk Tammy Vopat. “It’s your vote.”
Q Some of us live outside Emporia but come here for shopping and entertainment. Why can’t we vote on the smoking ban ordinance? The outcome affects our lives, too.
A Because the vote concerns an ordinance passed by the city of Emporia, only Emporians can decide the issue, Vopat said.
“You have to live within the city of Emporia to have that question on the ballot,” she said.
Vopat remarked on the irony of some county residents who are not eligible to vote.
“We have business owners that have a business in Emporia that live in the county and cannot vote,” she said. “It is only city of Emporia registered voters.”
Readers with questions on topics of local interest may send them to Because You Asked, in care of The Emporia Gazette, Drawer C, Emporia KS 66801. Questions need to be signed, but names will not be used. Questions submitted anonymously will not be answered.
history_nerd (anonymous) says...
I don't expect to be able to vote in Topeka elections, and I go there fairly frequently.
March 17, 2009 at 7:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
March 17, 2009 at 8:05 p.m. ( permalink )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
You can vote whatever you want, but if they are running uncontested, they will get it by default no matter what. If they paid the filing fees and no one else did, your vote doesn't matter at all in the State of Kansas. A write in vote that constitutes a certain percentage (can't remember which one) is the only way to vote against an uncontested candidate.
March 17, 2009 at 8:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
Let me say first off this is a personal post and in no-way reflects the policy, beliefs or functions of EOB.
oh4theluvof is correct in her above post, but there is a way to show your displeasure with the commissioners who voted for this ban. Vote for Kevin Nelson and Mike Mercer and those two only. The other two voted to take away our rights.
Steve Corbin
March 17, 2009 at 9:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
History_nerd, there is a big difference with shopping in a town occasionally and living just outside a town and being unable to vote on issues that directly impact you. I work in Emporia, buy 99% of my groceries, gas, etc in Emporia. Yet since I live outside the city limits, I was unable to vote on the tax increase to pay for the water park. I am unable to vote on the smoking ban even though Emporia is where my family goes out to eat. It is a little unfair considering what percentage of shoppers come into Emporia from out in the county. That is why people are upset.
March 18, 2009 at 8:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weltha (anonymous) says...
madpoet- EXACTLY!!!!!
March 18, 2009 at 8:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
madpoet (anonymous) says...
Observation, why would we want to live inside the city limits? I'm not whining, I'm pointing out a problem with the current system.
I choose to live in the country for a reason. I enjoy not having close neighbors, the noise and pollution of city life. I want my son to have a large area to play in without worrying about traffic and if a pervert lives down the block. Those of us who choose to live in the country know there are drawbacks such as the cost of commuting to work and utilities are higher. We don't have the luxury of cable, either. But the peace and quiet is worth it. I lived in Emporia for 5 years and didn't like it. Maybe if you experienced the difference, you would understand. Maybe not, though. Country living isn't for everyone just as city life holds no appeal to some.
March 18, 2009 at 12:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
I kind of wonder about all the "money" out at Thorndale. Is there a provision that lets them vote, or are they out of luck too? Just a curiosity--I have no opinion on it, really.
March 18, 2009 at 2:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Weltha (anonymous) says...
No, whining here either ob.... Just stating a fact. Again poet..... EXACTLY....
March 18, 2009 at 3:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
hey, while EOB believes everyone who is eligible to vote should, we are not going to the extremes of CHE and registering one time voters to further their cause. It just shows you the lengths that CAE and CHE will go to to get their ban passed. I can only hope that those students who are registering know the difference .
VOTE NO AND CHOOSE WHERE YOU GO!
March 18, 2009 at 8:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )