Kansas House challenger has trust in election system despite close numbers

The Republican primary race for Kansas House District 42 between incumbent Rep. Lance Neelly and Leavenworth County Commissioner Mike Stieben has been neck-and-neck, with Neelly leading Stieben by 40 votes as of Aug. 9. Despite the close numbers, Stieben has trust in the election system.

On Tuesday night, Kansas Reflector reported that Stieben held a 41-vote lead over Neelly. But by Wednesday morning, Neelly was ahead. 

Whitney Tempel, spokeswoman for the secretary of state, said the overnight change was due to mail in ballots that were postmarked by Election Day and still being processed, ballots that were hand counted and any other legally cast ballots that were not included in Tuesday’s unofficial count. 

Close elections like this are why the secretary of state’s website features a pop-up window before viewing unofficial results that details a “step by step election cycle.” It stresses that election results are unofficial until the State Board of Canvassers certify the election results for the primary. Since the Neelly-Stieben race is within 1% of the total votes cast and reported on election night, there will be a close-race audit. Both candidates may request a recount.

In his role as a Leavenworth County Commissioner, Stieben sees how elections work. 

“I trust the election system in Leavenworth very much,” Stieben said. “I’ve seen how elections work, the numbers are very accurate. It would have to be very, very close for me to call a recount.” 

With the current difference of 40 votes, Stieben hasn’t given a recountserious consideration. The race is not officially called, but Stieben said he “gave it a good run with the No. 1 issue, which was property tax caps.”

“Of course, I’d rather be sitting on the other side of it,” Stieben said. “But no matter what happens, I’ll continue to be county commissioner for two years and vote on what happens to property taxes in Kansas, and if the Legislature doesn’t take action, I’m sure a lot of people will be running for these seats in two years.” 

After former President Donald Trump’s call to recount the 2020 presidential election and his subsequent denial of the results, several Kansas Republican lawmakers believed baseless election fraud theories. 

One bill proposed was Senate Bill 209, which would have ended the three-day grace period for accepting ballots, was vetoed. Sen. Mike Thompson, R-Shawnee, said the bill was necessary to ease concerns about fraudulent ballots. 

Stieben, who lost with the addition of mail-in ballots, said he believes in the legitimacy of Kansas elections.