Six Kansas Races Face Mandatory Audits

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab announced Wednesday that six midterm contests triggered a mandatory close-race audit. The state requires this review when the final margin is one percentage point or less. The affected races include the governorship, secretary of state, and attorney general. Three Kansas House districts also qualified: District 27, District 40, and District 117.

A close-race audit differs from a standard recount. In a recount, a candidate can request a vote re-count in specific counties or precincts. This process is not automatic. The state covers the cost only if the general election margin is half a percentage point or less. Costs can be refunded if the recount changes the outcome. The requester chooses the method and specific locations. The recount must finish by 5 p.m. on the fifth day after the request is filed.

Audits serve as a routine check before votes are certified. Kansas law requires an audit in 1% of a county's precincts. This step happens before the board of canvassers meets. The audit must be complete at least 48 hours before that certification meeting. For example, Johnson County has more than 580 precincts. Approximately six of those are randomly selected for a standard audit.

When a race is close, the county election office must expand that review. They must audit an additional 10% of all county precincts in that specific race. Using Johnson County as an example, the additional 10% requirement means 58 precincts must be audited. This public process must happen before the county canvass certifies results. Certification occurs between six and 13 days after the election.

A recount request can only be made after the post-election audit is finished. The request must arrive by 5 p.m. the day after the election is certified. This timeline creates a waiting period for voters. It is possible to wait 13 days for results certification. A recount request could then be filed on the 14th day. Official results might not be available for another five days. That totals 19 days after the election before final numbers are known.