By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

The upcoming mail-in election for USD 489 constituents requires a “strict procedure” for Ellis County Clerk Donna Maskus.

“The process has to be approved by the secretary of state,” according to Maskus.

Her 86-page plan was submitted to Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach on April 27 and has been approved.

The “Mail Ballot Election for USD 489” will be held Friday, June 27. That’s the day mail-in ballots must be received in the county clerk’s office by noon.

The 13,660 ballots will be mailed to “active voters” in USD 489 June 10 and should arrive in local mailboxes June 11.

Ballots must be marked “Yes” or “No” to the question of whether the Hays USD 489 Local Option Budget should be increased 1 percent.

Maskus reminded voters they must also sign the ballot and include their permanent mailing address on the outside of the envelope:

Unlike an election at the polls, the votes can be counted as soon as they arrive in the county clerk’s office between June 11 and June 27.

Office staff will be hand-tallying the ballots during regular business hours.

“Because USD 489 is paying  for the election costs, we’re hoping to save them a little money by not having to hire any additional help,” Maskus said.

Maskus is unsure when the final results will be available.

“It’s possible we won’t be done until after June 27.”