Lawrence.com

It has been nearly 3 years since I started writing this blog. My original motives for wanting to write on this site have long since changed. But, I still enjoy writing the occasional post, and reading the other blogs here on Lawrence.com. I have enjoyed blogging because it gave me a chance to create a new identity, a new persona that is a little different that I am in real life. Nothing radical, but many of my close friends have been bemused by some of my posts. Not for what I wrote, but because it was me that wrote it. For example I posted several times about drinking, when in reality I am probably best described as an unfaithful teetotaler. I have alcohol in my home that I am losing faster to evaporation than to consumption. Keith Campbell is my real name, but this site allowed me to be someone a little different. (For the record, I really did love Joe's.) I am not sure this blog has an identity, but I think I want to do something a little different for a while: something a little more serious, a little more important. To do this I may need to lose a little of my anonymity. So here it goes.My name is Keith Campbell and I am the Deputy County Clerk of Douglas County. My specific job in the County Clerk's office is to help administer elections for Douglas County. I am a political appointee and I have been serving this county for 2 ½ years. I have recently completed my MPA from KU and I love history, reading, cooking and am fascinated and in awe of our amazing and wonderful democracy. Now that I have told you a little about myself, here is what I want to do. I know there are a lot of rumors, misinformation, concerns, and questions about elections. My goal* is every Monday and Friday from now until November 4th to do a little elections mythbusting. The idea is to clear up common misconceptions, answer common questions, and help you become an informed and knowledgeable voter. Please feel free to ask any questions in the comment section or to contact me personally. If you want a question answered, just ask. I will try to answer every question, or to point you to where you can find your answer.It is important to note that the information I will provide applies to the state of Kansas. Every state has different policies and procedures, deadlines, election standards etc. I think this is where a lot of confusion comes from, people hear stories or news reports from other states and their procedures and issues and then assume they apply to Kansas. Before we get started, I need you to something. I need you to go to [www.douglascountyelections.com.][1] In the middle of the page you will find a voter search. Use it! Make sure that you are registered in Douglas County AND that your address is correct*. You can also check to see who represents you and information about your polling location. You can even see a picture of your polling place with on online map of its location. In the next few weeks the same search will allow you to see a sample ballot of the ballot you will vote.On Monday I plan on covering Voter Registration in the State of Kansas.*This goal maybe too ambitious. This is an extremely busy time in our office. Long work hours may interfere, but I am committed to trying. I have already kissed my girlfriend, hugged my parents, shook hands with my friends and told them all I look forward to seeing them at Thanksgiving. I was only partially joking. Florida and Ohio come to mind.*The LJ World ran an "On the Street" question asking if your voter registration was up to date. Of course everyone said that their registration was up to date and then one of the first comments complained that it was a stupid question. I can tell you from experience that it was a valid question and too many people don't keep their voter registration up to date. [1]: http://www.douglascountyelections.com