Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Angela Caudillo told county commissioners Wednesday they saw record high turnout in the August special election. If that happens again during the November election, more people could be waiting in line to vote.
On August 2, long lines were reported in Park City and at Wichita's Linwood Recreation Center, where some voters waited for more than three hours in 100 degree-plus temperatures.
Caudillo said the county has 329,932 eligible voters, up from 321,697 in early January. Over 45 percent of them participated in the special election, with 90 thousand showing up in-person on Election Day. In a general election, the county typically has around 50-55 percent turnout, which this year would be 181,775 voters.
Leading up to the 2020 Census and redistricting, there was a 2-year freeze on splitting up some of the busier precincts. Caudillo hopes to add more voting locations next year. In the meantime, voters can also participate by voting early or by mail.
She asked for more staffing during budget talks in August but her request was turned down by county commissioners.