OCTOBER 6, 2023 | FRIDAY FILE

Guest Column by Thad Snider Kansas Election Integrity Expert Transparency Fixes All Election Issues

Election integrity is the new “4-letter word” in politics. Often, anyone who questions it labeled a “conspiracy theorist” or “domestic bad actor” but the fact is, the power is inherent in the People and voting is the way we exercise that power in electing our representatives in our Constitutional Republic. Since 2020, the opinion on how our elections are administered has changed drastically. I think we all had misgivings about dead voters or ballot stuffing, but none of us realized how dire it had become. We saw a complete abdication of constitutional duty by the legislatures, usurpation of constitutional powers by the Judiciary and outright absentia from enforcing our election laws by our Executive branch.Now, Americans are more aware and concerned about the administration of elections than ever before. In a poll done by Rasmussen before the 2022 midterms, 83% of respondents said they were worried about cheating in that election. It was second only to inflation as the most significant concern— one which I’m sure we all share. As is, our elections are a black box shrouded in secrecy and hidden behind excuses of “cyber” and “national” security as the reason we cannot view how they are conducted— specifically the voting machines. Without transparency, no one can confirm, let alone trust, the outcome of elections. Until we go to hand-counted, paper ballots with complete access by We the People, we still have work to do.The good news is there are a lot of Kansans trying hard to remedy this, and good people in the Legislature are also working towards that goal. I applaud Kansas State Senator Mike Thompson for conducting a Special Committee on Elections last week. I hope that the legislature will take the testimony of the various conferees seriously concerning transparency, security, and fairness in our elections. In the meantime, Kansas allows you to request a paper ballot that can be hand-counted when you vote. I would encourage everyone to vote this way and to tell their friends to do the same. Dead voters and ballot stuffing aside, the most important thing we can do is show up and vote. If there is cheating, let’s make it as difficult as possible for it to change the election outcome.We have a lot of great Patriots running for city council, school board, water board, and other local seats that dictate many facets of our lives. Republicans have been historically poor about showing up in “off-year” elections to vote and filling these roles, but not anymore. We will take back these positions and transform our country from the bottom up— just like our Founders intended.  Note: From time to time, the Friday File Guest Column has been and will be made available to all Republican candidates for President of the United States.

Candidates are offered this space as a service to Kansas Republicans to hear from those who desire to be our Republican nominee and to lead the free world. The KSGOP does not endorse or support any candidate for any office over another in a contested Republican primary election.   MEMBERSHIP DRIVE UNDERWAY Join 1776 Club Now Become a Card-Carrying Kansas Patriot Today!Chairman’s Goal: 90 New Members in 90 Days Join the KSGOP 1776’ers Club now! The chairman’s goal of adding 90 new members over the next 90 days would bring total membership to 200! 1776’ers led the way, but despite our strength, we’re facing genuine threats. That’s because the Democrat Party has a completely different -- and dangerous -- agenda that opposes everything that keeps America safe and strong. Every freedom-loving Kansan needs to be on high alert to these very real risks. As you know, America is becoming a nation we no longer recognize. Dominated by socialist and Marxist ideology, the liberals are pushing hard to politicize and weaponize everything from criminal justice to healthcare, education to energy, farming to election integrity and so much more -- all to solidify their stranglehold on you and me. We must fight together. CLICK HERE: Please join your fellow Kansas Republican Party (KSGOP) members and become a proud member of the prestigious "1776 Club”. By joining the "1776 Club”, you'll become a card-carrying member of the KSGOP and join a passionate community of like-minded individuals committed to upholding conservative principles and ensuring a prosperous future for Kansas and the United States. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a real impact. Join the Kansas Republican Party and the "1776 Club" today, and be part of the solution. Together, we will build a stronger, more united America and Kansas for generations to come. CLICK HERE: Sign up now to become a "1776'er" and get yourself in the hunt for incredible perks. The opportunities are out of sight, so you don't want to miss out!  Conservatively Speaking by KSGOP Chairman Mike BrownState Committee Meeting Huge SuccessThe KSGOP Biannual Meeting was held in Paola, KS, on September 30, 2023. The meeting was a huge success. More than two hundred Kansas Republicans made up of Party State Committee members, observers and press were in attendance to conduct the business of the KSGOP. The credentialing was broadly recognized and praised as smooth and professional, and the meeting was noted by attendees as organized, powerful, effective, and efficient. As an additional and recognized benefit, the meeting was finished seven minutes ahead of schedule. Chairman Brown offered a thanks to the Pearl Street Reformed Baptist Church for hosting the meeting. A thank you was also extended to Dakotah Parshall, KSGOP Executive Director, for his tireless daily hard work and for his diligence in producing the meeting and handling the bumps in the road. The KSGOP Executive Leadership Team in attendance including Cheryl Reynolds, Tess Anderson, Alan Townsend, Marty Bohannon, and Mark Kahrs were recognized for their hard work along with all Standing Committee Members for their dedication to serving and improving our party. Specifically recognized were the Committee Chairs, Linda Highland, Bryant Anderson, and Robin Jackson. A special thank you went out to Chris Mcgowne (KSGOP Attorney), Frank Kelly (Miami County Sheriff), Calvin Hayden (Johnson County Sheriff). Business conducted by the KSGOP State Committee included approval of the Presidential Primary State Delegate Plan, acceptance of a resolution calling on the Kansas Federal Delegation to impeach Joe Biden, a resolution regarding ending Social and Emotional Learning in Kansas schools, and approval of a resolution calling for an energy policy that will serve to protect our citizen's security, physical and financial health, ongoing access to reliable energy and protection of property rights in all Kansas counties. I look forward to many great wins in November. GO VOTE! We will all meet up again early next year and I pray for all of your safety until we are together again. It is an honor to serve as Chairman of the Kansas Republican Party. Thank you to the KSGOP State Committee for your broad trust in me and to our dedicated leadership team who accomplishes so much. As a simple kid from Bonner Springs, I am consistently humbled by the loyalty and dedication of so many in maintaining Republican dominance in Kansas. Your commitment makes me so proud and our future as Kansas Republicans is very bright.  Double-Nickel BirthdayWish Mike Happy 55th Birthday CLICK HEREThe Kansas Republican Party announced today a new fundraising opportunity for Kansas Republicans, which coordinates with KSGOP Chairman Mike Brown’s birthday this month. Mike will celebrate his 55th (the big double-nickel!) birthday and he wants to celebrate his 55 trips around the sun with you! Click Here to Wish Mike a Happy Birthday!  The Parallel Universe News & Opinion Stories You May Have Missed This Week (Click on Blue Links Below for Stories)Biden approves new section of border wall as crossings rise Source: BBCTrump chides Biden over move to build border wall: 'I will await his apology' Source: The HillBiden’s ‘wall’ 180 is just another deceptive stunt Source: New York PostBiden administration waiving 26 federal laws to allow border wall construction in Texas Source: The HillTrump campaign calls on RNC to cancel third GOP debate Source: The HillRNC said '24 debates would be different, but voters disagree Source: Daily CallerHow the Virgin Islands could play a key role in choosing the GOP nominee By Henry Olsen Source: The Washington PostMichelle Obama: Dems’ savior and nominee? Don’t bet on it. Source: The MessangerBill Maher tells Biden to drop out of 2024 race, compares him to RBG: ‘Voters think he’s too old’ Source: New York PostFive Republicans who may run to replace McCarthy Source: FortuneScalise & Jordan launch bids for House Speaker Source: CNNJamaal Bowman damage control roils Capitol Hill Source: AxiosFlorida sues Biden admin in new dispute over unions Source: PoliticoRussia deploys punishment battalions in echo of Stalin Source: ReutersHealthcare nonprofit foundations and others dump $1 million into Kansas elections for “peer pressure with a purpose” Source: The Voter Network - History and Financials  KSGOP Store Get Your Gear! ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️ CLICK HERE to Shop Now!   Facts and FiguresState Jobs Report With more and more Americans losing faith in Biden, Republican leaders are proving how our commonsense, pro-jobs agenda works for the American people. What you need to know: Republican governors and state legislatures lead the way over Democrats in job creation and economic recovery. Despite Bidenomics, Republican-led states are providing economic relief to families who are burdened by Bidenomics’ falling real wages, out-of-control spending, and skyrocketing costs.The latest state jobs report shows that 8 of the top 10 states for jobs recovered since the coronavirus pandemic began are led by Republican governors, and all ten states have Republican-controlled legislatures. Of the top 11 states with the lowest unemployment rates, nine are led by Republican governors. The bottom line: Republicans across the country are delivering for the American people, following through on their commitment to deliver economic relief. Biden's Border Crisis Joe Biden once again owns the worst year at the border on record, after breaking the previous record set last year. What you need to know: New data shows 232,972 illegal immigrants were encountered attempting to cross the U.S.-Mexico border in August – a 27% increase in crossings from previous month and the highest total for August in DHS history. For 30 straight months, monthly encounters have been higher than even the highest month seen under the previous administration.With roughly 7,500 daily encounters, this dwarfs the definition of a "crisis" set by Obama's DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson when he said in 2019 that "more than 1,000" encounters a day "overwhelms the system." Joe Biden once again owns the worst year at the border on record, after breaking the previous record set last year. FY2023 saw 2,388,000 illegal crossings, not including “getaways.” The Administration refuses to acknowledge this is a crisis that is impacting all communities. More than 7.5 million illegal immigrants have crossed the border since Biden took office. This includes the 6 million illegal immigrants that Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has encountered and the more than 1.5 million “got aways” that have escaped past Border Patrol into the U.S. Border officials say that the official number of gotaways vastly undercounts the illegal immigrants who enter the U.S. Illicit drugs are flowing into the country at an alarming rate, with only 5 to 10% being intercepted as border officials struggle to contain the smuggling.1,773 pounds of deadly fentanyl and 11,505 pounds of methamphetamine were seized at the southern border in August alone, with much more getting through. The amount of fentanyl seized in August is the equivalent of more than 402 million lethal doses. Since Biden took office, more than 23 tons of fentanyl have crossed the southern border, enough to kill roughly 10.5 billion people. The bottom line: This is the worst border crisis on record, and it has lasted for 30 months. Biden’s policies are directly to blame – border experts and people crossing the border themselves have said as much. Yet, Democrats insist Biden’s policies are working.   Local Election Dates ApproachLocal Elections Matter - Make Your Plan To Vote Now!   Local elections are approaching, and it is essential to begin planning to cast your ballot. Local elections are as crucial and critical as federal and presidential elections. Local elections this year in Kansas include city council seats, school board seats, and, in some jurisdictions, community college board of trustee seats. These seats at the Dias are the local levels of government most impactful to your daily life as they are units of government closest to you. Over the last several months, hundreds of Republican candidates for these offices have been knocking on front doors in their districts across Kansas. When they come to your door, please engage them and say thank you to them for their saccrifice and dedication to Kansas and America.  Note: If you have a Republican event you would like to tell folks about, please email the details for inclusion consideration to: mbrown@kansas.gop Please Include: date, time, address, and event description   Kansas Republican Calendar of EventsOctober 13th, 2023 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm Franklin County Republicans are having a “DENIM & DIAMONDS HOEDOWN” Nelson Farms 1981 Stafford Rd Ottawa, KS 66067 ADULTS:$25.00 CHILDREN (12 & under): $15.00 (Dinner, dessert, drinks, and line dancing included!) PLEASE RSVP to 913-485-3727 Grab your boots, ladies and guys, get ready to do some scootin'!! Join us for a fundraiser the whole family can enjoy! Dancing will be under the stars, so ** Don’t forget your lawn chair! **  October 17 Deadline to register to vote or update your voter registration information. October 18 First day of advance voting. October 31 Last day to apply for an advance voting by mail ballot. November 6 In-person advance voting ends at 12:00 p.m. November 7 GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION DAY    “The road to Socialism, abject poverty, human suffering, and the end of freedom on earth runs through the middle of a divided Republican party.” ~ Mike Brown  Donate Now KSGOP CLICK HERE  About KSGOPDonate1776 ClubKSGOP Leadership  Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4157 Topeka KS 66604 Phone: 785-234-3456 Email: Communications@kansas.gop Website: www.kansas.gop Kansas Republican Party Platform  Paid for by the Kansas Republican Party, Inc. Mike Brown, Chairman Alan Townsend, Treasurer Kansas Republican Party | P.O. Box 4157, Topeka, KS 66604