Sedgwick County DA confirms investigation into Wichita Forward mailer on sales tax
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Sedgwick County DA opened probe into Wichita Forward mailer with incorrect election info.
- Probe will determine whether creators intentionally or negligently gave wrong information
- Bennett aims to resolve the inquiry within a week to 10 days
Segdwick County District Attorney Marc Bennett confirmed his office was investigating a Wichita Forward mailer that used incorrect information.
The mailer incorrectly noted when mail-in ballots are due and when polls would open for the March 3 special election on a 1% Wichita sales tax.
Mail-in ballots must be turned in by 7 p.m. on Election Day by being dropped off at the drop boxes or the election office. If sent by U.S. mail, they must be sent in time to make it to the election office by that 7 p.m. cutoff. And polls open at 7 a.m. on Election Day.
“I think there’s a recognition that a mistake was made, and they’re trying to rectify it,” Bennett said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
Bennett said Wichita Forward and other parties involved are cooperating with his investigation.
The investigation, he said, is like others he handles: determining whether those who created the mailer intentionally, knowingly or negligently used wrong information on the mailer.
“Bad information sometimes gets out,” Bennett said. “The question then is: Is this bad information put into the public arena because of ill intent or because somebody was a poor editor?”
He said the investigation could be handled fairly quickly.
“My goal is to have something resolved in the next week to 10 days, depending on what other things may come across my desk and other issues we have to deal with,” he said.
Once the investigation is complete, Bennett said he would either file charges or release the results of the investigation and how he came to his findings if charges aren’t filed.
If charges are filed, and someone is found guilty of violating state election law, fines could be issued.
The Sedgwick County Election Office made the errors public on Saturday and encouraged voters “to rely on official election sources for accurate details.”
Wichita Forward issued a statement Saturday apologizing for the errors and saying they regret “any confusion it may have caused.”