Election Office

Be a hero at the polls: Join the team

tim.phenicie@jocogov.org — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 20:56:49 +0000

Be a hero at the polls: Join the team tim.phenicie@j… Mon, 04/20/2026 - 15:56

Johnson County Election Commissioner Connie Schmidt, left, is shown with election workers, left to right, Janet Barchuk, Romona Robson and A.J. Cameron.

By Alyssa Cangelose

Another year brings another election cycle, and the Johnson County Election Office is preparing for the Aug. 4 primary and Nov. 3 general election in 2026.

A vital part of election preparation is recruiting, training and coordinating Johnson County residents to work the polls. Election workers are fundamental to ensuring every citizen’s right to vote by assisting voters from the moment they enter a polling location to when they leave with their “I voted” sticker.

Johnson County Election Commissioner Connie Schmidt regards election workers as the “gatekeepers of democracy. They are vital to the democratic process, and we cannot conduct an election without them,” she said.

Johnson County will need approximately 1,200 election workers for each election this year. They are paid $150 (election workers) to $200 (supervising judges) for each day at voting sites, plus an additional $50–$75 for training.

Why be an election worker? Hear it from Romona Robson, who has assisted at Johnson County elections for more than 14 years. She returns every year because she believes in being an active, helpful citizen for the community.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to get to know people, to help your state and your country,” Robson said.

One of her main reasons for staying involved is “cultivating lifelong friendships with people you would have never met,” as Robson regularly gets together with a group of fellow workers.

Election worker responsibilities at the polls are to greet voters, help with check-in, make sure they understand how to use the voting equipment and answer voter questions.

Polling sites on Election Day open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Election workers also help to set up and take down their designated polling locations before and after voting on Election Day.

A common thread with election workers is the desire to be busy and to be helpful to their communities, while the paycheck is a welcomed perk. Personal connections are also a motivating factor for people to return.

A.J. Cameron has been an election worker for more than 30 years. Part of what keeps him returning is seeing “people that I went to high school with, depending on where I’m working ... it’s nice to see them go through the line.”

However, starting something new can be intimidating. Janet Barchuk fought that feeling and began working elections in 2025. Reflecting on her experience, she said it feels gratifying.

The election team poses with Votey, a robotic VOTE mobile vehicle used in the Election Office’s Future Voter elementary school student program. Votey was acquired by the Celebration of Patriotism Foundation formed by the office more than 20 years ago.

“I get to be part of something bigger, and I like to think to myself, ‘I helped.’ It’s really the simple stuff,” she said. The Election Office’s team of trainers prepares and supports election workers going into Election Day.

Training left a lasting impression on Barchuk: “The training experience was 100 times better than I expected.” By walking through the steps of what an actual voter does, “it wasn’t overwhelming, they even made it a little bit of fun.”

Training starts the month before each election. For the primary, training will begin after the Fourth of July holiday. Times are offered for mornings, afternoons, evenings and weekends to accommodate a variety of schedules.

All three election workers cited how rewarding and flexible the public service experience can be.

Cameron encourages anyone who is considering it to “give it a try and see if it fits. If it does, great! If it doesn’t, at least you gave it a shot.”

Barchuk shared how immediately welcomed she felt: “You do it once and you’re considered part of the team.” For many workers like Barchuk, the work becomes something to look forward to, election after election.

Getting started is simple. The first step is completing an online or paper application on the Election Office website. The application has space to specify requests like polling- place preferences, the distance applicants are willing to travel and even if they prefer to work with their spouse, family member or friend. After applying, the Election Office team will reach out and request additional information.

After getting set up with the Election Worker Portal, applicants will receive an availability survey before each election.

Based on that response, the Election Office assigns workers to polling locations, and applicants can then sign up for training sessions through the portal.

The training prepares applicants who become official election workers the moment that they step into their assigned polling place on Election Day.

“There really is a lot of support, especially for somebody new,” said long-time worker Cameron. Barchuk agreed.

“There’s no stress. It’s not a difficult job at all, and it’s just a really nice experience,” she added.

Election Commissioner Schmidt encourages interested residents to get involved and “experience the passion of serving the voters of Johnson County.”

“They are my Election Day heroes!”

Alyssa Cangelose is Elections Communications Coordinator at the Johnson County Election Office.

Ready to become an election worker?

To qualify, applicants must be:

A resident of Johnson County
A current registered voter
Ability to lift and carry items weighing up to 20 pounds
Able to stand, walk and move for extended periods (up to one hour) without a break
Students aged 16 or 17 years old may also apply to be student election workers

Questions? Please call the Johnson County Election Office at 913-715-6836 or email questions to elc-electionworker@jocogov.org. Applications are accessible online at jocoelection.org/election-workers.

Entry deadline for the "I Voted” Sticker Design Contest approaching

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:52:42 +0000

Entry deadline for the "I Voted” Sticker Design Contest approaching tim.dodderidge… Tue, 04/07/2026 - 13:52 April 7, 2026

The Johnson County Election Office would like to remind all local creatives that the deadline to submit a unique design to the “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest is almost here. Entries must be submitted either online or in person by April 17 at 5 p.m.

All Johnson County residents aged 5 years old and up, including adults, are encouraged to participate.

Four designs will be chosen, one per age category. The winning sticker designs will be distributed at Advance Voting locations, in Advance Mail Ballot envelopes and on Election Day at all polling sites.

Submission deadline: 5 p.m. on April 17

Key Contest Details

The contest is divided into four age groups (one winning design per age group):

Ages 5-10
Ages 11-14
Ages 15-17
Ages 18 and older

Design Requirements:

Artwork must include either “I Voted” or “I Voted in Johnson County”
The submission must be on the official entry design sheet
See full contest rules at jocoelection.org/contest

A complete submission includes:

Entry form (via paper or electronic form)
Sticker design
Signed Release & Authorization Form OR signed Parental Release & Authorization Form

Entries can be submitted online (jocoelection.org/contest), dropped off at the front desk of the Johnson County Election Office during business hours or mailed to the Election Office using the address "Attn: “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest, 2101 E. Kansas City Rd. Olathe, KS 66061." (The recommended last day to send via mail is April 10.)

Official contest rules, entry form, Release & Authorization forms and a design template can be found at jocoelection.org/contest as individual files or a printable packet. Winners will be notified around Monday, May 25. They will be publicly recognized on June 11.

Department:

Election Office

Category:

News Releases

Design the next “I Voted” sticker for Johnson County

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 17:39:44 +0000

Design the next “I Voted” sticker for Johnson County tim.dodderidge… Tue, 02/24/2026 - 11:39 February 24, 2026

The Johnson County Election Office invites residents of all ages to participate in the “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest. This initiative aims to celebrate the right to vote while promoting local creativity and pride in what makes Johnson County unique. By including ages 5 and up in the contest, the JoCo Election Office hopes to inspire excitement about civic duty in both future and active voters.

The competition is open to Johnson County students and residents aged 5 and up. Four designs will be chosen, one per age category. The winning sticker designs will be distributed at advance voting locations, in advance mail ballot envelopes and on Election Day at all polling sites.

Submission deadline: 5 p.m. on April 17

Key Contest Details

The contest is divided into four age groups (one winning design per age group):

Ages 5-10
Ages 11-14
Ages 15-17
Ages 18 and older

Design Requirements:

Artwork must include either “I Voted” or “I Voted in Johnson County”
Must be submitted on entry design sheet
See full contest rules at jocoelection.org/contest

A complete submission includes:

Entry form (via paper or electronic form)
Sticker design
Signed Release & Authorization Form OR signed Parental Release & Authorization Form

Entries can be submitted online (jocoelection.org/contest), dropped off at the front desk of the Johnson County Election Office during business hours or mailed to the Election Office using the address "Attn: “I Voted” Sticker Design Contest 2101 E. Kansas City Rd. Olathe, KS 66061." (The recommended last day to send via mail is April 10.)

Official contest rules, entry form, Release & Authorization forms and a design template can be found at jocoelection.org/contest as individual files or a printable packet for your convenience. Winners will be notified around Monday, May 25. They will be publicly recognized on June 11.

Department:

Election Office

Category:

News Releases

Vote Canvass - De Soto USD 232, Olathe USD 233 and the City of Edgerton Special Mail Ballot, with Vote Canvass Reconvene to follow.

megan.johnson@jocogov.org — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:44:06 +0000

Vote Canvass - De Soto USD 232, Olathe USD 233 and the City of Edgerton Special Mail Ballot, with Vote Canvass Reconvene to follow. megan.johnson@… Tue, 02/03/2026 - 11:44

Location: 2101 E. Kansas City Rd. Olathe, KS 66061
Phone: 913-715-6800
Email: election@jocogov.org

March 10, 2026 - 09:00am March 10, 2026 - 12:00pm

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Vote Canvass Reconvene - General Election

megan.johnson@jocogov.org — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:40:24 +0000

Vote Canvass Reconvene - General Election megan.johnson@… Tue, 02/03/2026 - 11:40

Location: 2101 E. Kansas City Rd. Olathe, KS 66061
Phone: 913-715-6800
Email: election@jocogov.org

November 16, 2026 - 09:00am November 16, 2026 - 11:00am

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Vote Canvass Reconvene - 2026 Primary Election

megan.johnson@jocogov.org — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:36:41 +0000

Vote Canvass Reconvene - 2026 Primary Election megan.johnson@… Tue, 02/03/2026 - 11:36

Location: 2101 E. Kansas City Rd. Olathe, KS 66061
Phone: 913-715-6800
Email: election@jocogov.org

August 17, 2026 - 09:00am August 17, 2026 - 11:00am

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Board of County Commissioners Meeting

Elections

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Vote Canvass - 2026 Primary Election

megan.johnson@jocogov.org — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:33:53 +0000

Vote Canvass - 2026 Primary Election megan.johnson@… Tue, 02/03/2026 - 11:33

Location: 2101 E. Kansas City Rd. Olathe, KS 66061
Phone: 913-715-6800
Email: election@jocogov.org

August 14, 2026 - 09:00am August 14, 2026 - 11:00am

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Board of County Commissioners Meeting

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Vote Canvass Reconvene - General Election

megan.johnson@jocogov.org — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:32:06 +0000

Vote Canvass Reconvene - General Election megan.johnson@… Tue, 02/03/2026 - 11:32

Location: 2101 E. Kansas City Rd. Olathe, KS 66061
Phone: 913-715-6800
Email: election@jocogov.org

November 16, 2026 - 09:00am November 16, 2026 - 11:00am

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Board of County Commissioners Meeting

Elections

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Board of County Commissioners

Election Office

Vote Canvass - General Election

megan.johnson@jocogov.org — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 17:24:45 +0000

Vote Canvass - General Election megan.johnson@… Tue, 02/03/2026 - 11:24

Location: 2101 E. Kansas City Rd. Olathe, KS 66061
Phone: 913-715-6800
Email: election@jocogov.org

November 13, 2026 - 09:00am November 13, 2026 - 11:00am

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Johnson County Board of Canvassers certifies Prairie Village recount total

tim.dodderidge@jocogov.org — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:18:02 +0000

Johnson County Board of Canvassers certifies Prairie Village recount total tim.dodderidge… Wed, 11/19/2025 - 11:18 November 19, 2025

Today, the Johnson County Board of Canvassers voted to accept the recount of the Prairie Village ballot question to abandon the city’s form of government on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.

Below are more details of the totals. Overall, the manual hand recount resulted in the same tally as the initial results of the election.

“I appreciate the work of the bipartisan group of election workers who conducted this recount, along with the staff of the Election Office,” said Johnson County Election Commissioner Fred Sherman. “Administering secure and fair elections is our office’s top priority, and this recount process demonstrates our commitment to that principle.”

The Board of Canvassers originally certified the general election results on Thursday, Nov. 13. On Saturday, Nov. 15, after receiving a timely request, the Board of Canvassers voted to move forward with a recount, giving the Election Office five days to complete the hand recount of the ballots cast in the Prairie Village question submitted contest.

Original question contest totals:

Yes: 3,168
No: 5,842
Total votes cast: 9,010
Undervotes: 103
Contest totals: 9,113

Recount totals:

Yes: 3,168
No: 5,842
Total votes cast: 9,010
Undervotes: 103
Contest totals: 9,113

Department:

Election Office

Category:

News Releases