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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsOfficials in Kansas have closed the only polling place in Dodge City, Latinos 60 percent.
Iconic Dodge City moves its only polling place outside town
By ROXANA HEGEMAN Associated Press
October 18, 2018 11:07 PM
Updated October 19, 2018 09:29 AM
WICHITA, Kan. Access to the ballot box in November will be more difficult for some people in Dodge City, where Hispanics now make up 60 percent of its population and have remade an iconic Wild West town that once was the destination of cowboys and buffalo hunters who frequented the Long Branch Saloon.
At a time when many rural towns are slowly dying, the arrival of two massive meatpacking plants boosted Dodge Citys economy and transformed its demographics as immigrants from Mexico and other countries flooded in to fill those jobs.
But the city located 160 miles (257 kilometers) west of Wichita has only one polling site for its 27,000 residents. Since 2002, the lone site was at the civic center just blocks from the local country club in the wealthy, white part of town. For this Novembers election, local officials have moved it outside the city limits to a facility more than a mile from the nearest bus stop, citing road construction that blocked the previous site.
It is shocking that we only have one polling place, but that is only kind of scratching the surface of the problem, said Johnny Dunlap, chairman of the Ford County Democratic Party. On top of that, not only is it irrational and ridiculous that we have only one polling place, but Dodge City is one of the few minority majority cities in the state.
By ROXANA HEGEMAN Associated Press
October 18, 2018 11:07 PM
Updated October 19, 2018 09:29 AM
WICHITA, Kan. Access to the ballot box in November will be more difficult for some people in Dodge City, where Hispanics now make up 60 percent of its population and have remade an iconic Wild West town that once was the destination of cowboys and buffalo hunters who frequented the Long Branch Saloon.
At a time when many rural towns are slowly dying, the arrival of two massive meatpacking plants boosted Dodge Citys economy and transformed its demographics as immigrants from Mexico and other countries flooded in to fill those jobs.
But the city located 160 miles (257 kilometers) west of Wichita has only one polling site for its 27,000 residents. Since 2002, the lone site was at the civic center just blocks from the local country club in the wealthy, white part of town. For this Novembers election, local officials have moved it outside the city limits to a facility more than a mile from the nearest bus stop, citing road construction that blocked the previous site.
It is shocking that we only have one polling place, but that is only kind of scratching the surface of the problem, said Johnny Dunlap, chairman of the Ford County Democratic Party. On top of that, not only is it irrational and ridiculous that we have only one polling place, but Dodge City is one of the few minority majority cities in the state.
https://www.kansas.com/news/business/article220286260.html
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Officials in Kansas have closed the only polling place in Dodge City, Latinos 60 percent. (Original Post)
greyl
Oct 2018
OP
lunasun
(21,646 posts)1. Surprise surprise one mi. from a bus stop, then they will say Latinx don't vote there oh why
pangaia
(24,324 posts)2. Somebody needs to get on this and fast..
And get ut in the media... along with everything else.
Olafjoy
(937 posts)3. If it takes flying to Kansas
And renting vans and driving people to the polls, that is what will have to be done. Can we sign people up for absentee ballots for the future?
leanforward
(1,076 posts)4. I've been reading about all kinds of impediments to voting
I would like to propose that any one election official or commission that commits/acts to implement a denial of vote be jailed for a period of six months. And lose his/her right to ever vote again or even run for office.
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)5. Kansas has early voting and voting by mail. Use it, and vote to change this crud.
If necessary, your local Democratic office will help you.
Kashkakat v.2.0
(1,752 posts)6. HOW CAN THIS BE LEGAL?! nt
Johnny2X2X
(19,023 posts)7. Protecting the vote!
Tell your Congressman or Senator that protecting the right to vote is the biggest priority.
Reps are going full bore on taking away voting rights and Democracy.