The Kansas Secretary of State’s office said Wednesday that Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman will not be reappointed when her term expires in July.
The issue involves Lehman accessing a statewide election database from her home during the fall while she was undergoing treatment for Lymphoma, and she was having to work from home because of the treatment and the COVID-19 pandemic. Lehman issued a statement saying she had received medical advice to avoid going back to the office, and she said she consulted with Information Technology experts on the use of a remote system. She said she had made several requests to the Secretary of State’s Office asking for an exception to the policy restricting remote access, because of her health and the upcoming Presidential Election. Lehman said the requests were rejected or there was no reply.
Secretary of State Scott Schwab said in a statement that his office places the highest priority on the safety and security of the elections. He said the security of election systems and the personal information of Kansans will not be put at risk, regardless of the circumstances. He said it was not a hasty decision and he understands the difficult circumstances election offices faced during the fall, but “ultimately, we could not jeopardize the safety of Kansas elections systems to the benefit of one.”
Sedgwick County Commissioner Jim Howell wants the county to support legislation that will allow the state’s four largest counties to appoint an election commissioner, instead of having the Secretary of State make the appointment. The appointments are made for Sedgwick, Johnson, Wyandotte and Shawnee counties, and all other counties are able to choose their own election commissioner. Howell said he is pleased with the 2020 election process and the county election office did a tremendous job. He said he would like to see that service continue, but “unfortunately, I think that the Secretary of State has other ideas for Sedgwick County.” Howell said he is related to Lehman through his wife, and he would not vote on an election commissioner appointment, but he believes the county should have a voice with that position.
Commissioner Lacey Cruse moved to delay the discussion for another week to give commissioners more time to study the language of a proposed bill. Commission Chairman Pete Meitzner said he wants to talk to leaders from the other three counties to get their thoughts on the issue. Commissioners don’t have a regular meeting scheduled next week, so they would have to call a special meeting to discuss the bill.
The county issued an official statement later in the day Thursday regarding the Secretary of State’s decision:
On behalf of the Sedgwick County Commission, we are aware of the potential change to our Elections Office. We would like to acknowledge and thank Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman for her leadership and expertise in our election office and voting process with Sedgwick County. Lehman has served for over nine years as our Election Commissioner and during her tenure has been a tremendous and dedicated public servant, ensuring safe and fair elections for the people of Sedgwick County. She is a strong advocate for the voters and candidates seeking elected offices and provided transparent elections. Lehman has had a positive impact on this community.
At this time, this situation is a personnel matter with Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Election Commissioner Tabitha Lehman.
