By the Associated Press and KFDI News:

The top elections official in Kansas is pushing to make the state’s central voter registration database more secure by changing how counties tap into it. Some local officials are nervous about what they see as a big project in an unusually busy election year.

Secretary of State Scott Schwab has told county election officials that he wants them to use dedicated tablets, laptops or computers not linked to their counties’ networks to access the state’s voter registration database. He is promising to use federal funds to cover the costs. But some county election officials are nervous about such a huge undertaking in an election year.

Sedgwick County election commissioner Tabitha Lehman talked to county commissioners earlier this month about the change, which is expected to be in place before the primary election in August.   She said the systems will be locked down and their only function will be to access the voter registration database, and this will have a significant impact on her office’s day-to-day operations.   Lehman said her office will need to add at least 30 more work stations, and that raises concerns over electric power with a limited number of outlets.   She said she will have more information for county commissioners in the next few months.