Kansas elections are conducted in an open and transparent manner. Interested individuals and groups are welcome to observe election proceedings at polling locations, at local election offices and at county and state canvasses. State law recognizes the need for public observation of election proceedings through authorized poll agents, commonly known as poll watchers.

There are two types of poll agents, each with differing qualifications:

• Authorized poll agents are persons authorized by law to act as poll agents due to held positions, or
• Appointed poll agents are persons appointed by authorized poll agents to act as poll agents.

The following individuals can be an Authorized poll agent:

1. Chairperson of state or county party committees
2. Chairpersons of committees concerned with question-submitted elections
3. Candidate for office
4. Precinct committeeman or committeewoman
5. Write-in candidates who have filed affidavits of write-in candidacy

In addition, a person may be an Appointed poll agent by any of the aforementioned individuals.

• Appointments must be made in writing on the Johnson County Poll Agent form, or on form PA provided online by the Secretary of State’s office at sos.ks.gov.
• Forms may be filed at the Election Office up to and on election day.
• Forms can be filed by mail, hand delivery, fax, or sent to the Election Office by other electronic methods.
• Appointments must be on file, and forms completed and authorized at the Election Office before a person may conduct poll agent activities.
• Poll agents must be a registered Kansas voter or a member of a candidate’s family at least 14-years old.