The Buzz

The Buzz

Kansas GOP asks for Jay Sidie electioneering investigation

By Hunter Woodall

hwoodall@kcstar.com
Jay Sidie, the Democratic candidate in Kansas’ 3rd District congressional race, was told to leave the parking lot of an early voting site Saturday after trying to campaign to close to a polling place. According to Kansas law, people cannot try to persuade voters to vote for a candidate within 250 feet of a voting site.
Jay Sidie, the Democratic candidate in Kansas’ 3rd District congressional race, was told to leave the parking lot of an early voting site Saturday after trying to campaign to close to a polling place. According to Kansas law, people cannot try to persuade voters to vote for a candidate within 250 feet of a voting site. File photo by Susan Pfannmuller Special to The Star

The Kansas Republican Party is asking for an investigation into whether Jay Sidie was electioneering at an early voting site.

Clay Barker, the executive director of the Kansas GOP, sent a letter Sunday asking the Kansas secretary of state’s office to look into the matter.

Sidie, the Democratic nominee for the 3rd Congressional District in Kansas, was campaigning near the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center on Saturday. The building is one of the county’s six early voting sites.

After being noticed by election workers, Sidie was asked to leave the parking lot.

Kansas law states that electioneering, which could influence a voter’s decision, is not allowed within 250 feet of the entrance of a polling place.

Sidie’s campaign said Saturday that the candidate had not broken the law. After being asked to leave the area, he did so.

The Johnson County Democrat is in the final days of an election battle with Rep. Kevin Yoder, the incumbent Republican.

Hunter Woodall: 785-354-1388, @HunterMw

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