Dec 05, 2019

Kansas GOP congressman faces probe of voter registration

Posted Dec 05, 2019 12:00 AM

Photo courtesy Rep. Watkins


TOPEKA —Authorities plan to investigate whether a freshman Kansas congressman broke state laws by listing a UPS Inc. store as his address on a voter registration form and for obtaining a mail-in ballot in a November election.

The UPS store Rep. Watkins used-google image


In an email, the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office reported they had been in consultation with the District Attorney’s Office and had been made aware of the allegations against Congressman Watkins.


"As with any alleged violation of state law occurring in Shawnee County, this office will undertake an investigation of the matter. Investigators will review the facts thoroughly and objectively and submit a completed investigation for prosecution review," the email message said.


Rep. Steve Watkins' spokesman said Wednesday that the Republican congressman's use of the UPS store's address in southwest Topeka was an inadvertent mistake that will be corrected. 


But his actions raised a question of whether Watkins improperly cast a vote in a local City Council race Nov. 5. The local district attorney said he has asked the sheriff's department to investigate.