Voter registration kiosks slow to get off the ground

By Collyn Robinson

On August 9, at the Southeast Community Center, Mayor Pro Tem Ryana Parks-Shaw announced the launch of a civic program, “Vote Your Voice KC,” aimed at promoting voter registration and participation across the city. 

According to Parks-Shaw’s office, in 2022, “less than 45% of eligible voters [were] registered,” which meant there was “an urgent need for increased engagement and outreach within the Kansas City community.”

The enacted initiative set up kiosks at all Kansas City Community Centers where residents can check their voter registration status as well as register to vote, making the registration process “simple and straightforward” by leveraging community centers, local organization and outreach programs. 

Parks-Shaw received $1,000 in appropriated funds for this initiative. “The $1,000 will be used to pay for signage and other items needed at the centers to set up the kiosks,” Parks-Shaw wrote to the Telegraph. 

In addition to “Vote Your Voice” signage, each kiosk consists of a desk with a computer and voter registration information provided by the KC Election Board. 

The city unveiled a kiosk at the Southeast Community Center on August 24. According to the City’s Public Information Officer, as of August 26 the kiosks are set up at all community centers. It is unclear during which hours volunteers and technology will be available for in-person registration.

Information was initially slow to get out. Within two weeks after the initial public announcement neither staff at Hillcrest Community Center, Marlborough Community Center nor Parks & Recreations Board of Commissioners, which oversees the community centers, had not been notified of new kiosk program.

This push for increased access to voting is not only in partnership with the local community centers, but also the Greater Kansas City National Pan-Hellenic Council, who will be sponsoring these locations by hosting voter registration events and encouraging individuals to register to vote. 

This collaborative project with The Divine Nine organizations in the region is an effort “to empower residents to exercise their fundamental right to vote and ensure that every eligible voter is registered,” Parks-Shaw said in a statement. 

In Parks-Shaw’s opening speech at the press conference, she spoke about the importance of increasing voter participation and its impacts, she encouraged the community to get registered to vote and explained why she decided to launch “Vote Your Voice KC”.

“It is a chance to advocate for our schools, our neighborhoods, our healthcare and our economy,” Parks-Shaw said. “Each ballot cast sends a message about the future we want to build together . . . it’s about creating a culture of civic engagement.” 

Fellow leaders in the Kansas City community including Councilmen Crispin Rea and Jonathan Duncan, and Parks Board President Beth Haden also spoke at the Southeast Community Center in support of this piece of legislation. Councilman Darrell Curls, 5th District at-Large, who was also one of the speakers, expressed why this issue was important to him.

“There was a time when Black people and women couldn’t vote,” Curls said. “People fought for this right to vote . . . [and] it’s important that we as adults go out and vote, often, and early and as much as possible.”  

Joe Nelson, Social Action Chair for the National Pan-Hellenic Council of KC and member of Omega Psi Phi, also spoke at the event. He highlighted the misconceptions associated with voting, one being that in Missouri, convicted felons cannot vote, which is not true. He said convicted felons can vote in elections (upon completion of a sentence and probation or parole) if they update their address. On behalf of Pan-Hellenic Council of KC, he also expressed their commitment to and support for removing additional barriers to voting in the city. 

The locations in south Kansas City where the kiosks are set up are the Hillcrest Community Center (10401 Hillcrest Road), Marlborough Community Center (8200 The Paseo Boulevard), Southeast Community Center (4201 E. 63rd Street) and Mattie Rhodes Center (148 N Topping Avenue). 

The registration deadline to vote in the November 5, 2024, General Election is October 9, 2024.

Learn more about Vote Your Voice KC at www.kcmo.gov.