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INTERRUPTIONS

KSUnite Zoom bombings were beyond administration’s expectations, chief diversity and inclusion officer says

EMMA WITTER

news editor

The fourth annual KSUnite was met with attacks from several alt-right infiltrators Wednesday.

Several "Groypers" — a group of vocal alt-right provocateurs — Zoom bombed several sessions on diversity and inclusion throughout the day with profane and distracting interruptions.

“In all honesty, they just hijacked the technology well beyond anything that I knew to even think about or prepare for,” Bryan Samuel, chief diversity and inclusion officer, said. “We all had knowledge and understanding that we should be prepared for some disruption. What we didn’t understand was the volume, the scale, the pace, the technological capabilities with which it would happen.”

Samuel said the event began with little to no incident. The pre-recorded welcome video was shown without interruption. Then, the first plenary presentation featuring Bunky Echo-Hawk, a visual artist who worked on a painting for the Multicultural Student Center in his presentation, went “pretty well,” Samuel said.

The interruptions began when Clint Smith, a poet presenting on systemic racism in America, began speaking. Groypers flooded the Youtube Livestream attached to Smith’s presentation with profanity, sexually explicit comments and generally disruptive statements. When the comment section was disabled, the instigators moved to the Zoom conference call and continued their comments in the open chat space.

In the sessions after Smith’s, Samuel said Zoom bombings continued to occur with screens and audio taken over in some cases while those involved continued to disrupt comment sections and Zoom chats.

Samuel said while it had been discussed among the facilitators of KSUnite that some individuals may attempt to distract from and disrespect the event, the magnitude of the attacks came out of left field. He attributed the opportunity for disruptions to the open nature of KSUnite.

“We’d like to have our programs and activities open to all at Kansas State University because we believe we are both a community and a university,” Samuel said. “Therein lies the conundrum ... because we opened it up ... and we didn’t ask for EIDs and passwords ... some people took advantage of that. Next year, we’ll figure out some ways to keep that from happening."

Despite the Zoom bombings and distractions, Samuel said he hopes the fourth KSUnite will be remembered for the quality of the presentations and conversations that took place.

“It’s important to acknowledge that we had a very powerful and meaningful event,” Samuel said. “Our speakers were scholarly practitioners ... they had the lived experience. Much of the information I am receiving from students, faculty, staff and administrators ... they’re focusing on how great the presentations were.”

The distractions were unfortunate, Samuel said, but adversity will not stop the diversity and inclusion office from doing its job.

“Our role as a state university is to prepare students for growth and being able to contribute in a global world to solve problems,” he said.

Samuel said those participating in KSUnite showed great resilience in the face of opposition from those intending to detract from the event.

“Our students, faculty and staff persevered through it with their heads held high,” he said. “I think that deserves some recognition. It’s important to us that we continue the journey to grow, to learn, to appreciate differences and capitalize on the learning opportunities that differences can create.”

VOTEHERE!

TO THE POLLS

JULIE FREIJAT

copy chief

There might be a pandemic disrupting the usual flow of election season, but that doesn’t mean you cannot vote in person. Polling places across the country will still be open and ready to count ballots on Nov. 3, and during the weeks prior for advanced voters. In Kansas, you must have a valid photo ID in order to vote in person. This can be a driver’s license or another form of identification. All polling places must open at 7 a.m. on election day and close by 7 p.m., according to state laws. Riley County adheres to these times, though other counties in Kansas may open earlier and close later.

If you want to avoid the crowds on election day, but are not voting by mail, you have the option to participate in advance voting. In Kansas, voters are able to cast ballots up to 20 days before an election. This means advanced voting started on Oct. 14.

Kansas State students have the option to fill out an early ballot at the K-State Student Union or the Riley County Office Building. You are still required to show a valid photo ID in order to participate in advance voting.

If you don’t have a valid photo ID or end up forgetting yours, you can fill out a provisional ballot, but it will not be valid until you provide a photo ID.

If you have a disability, you can still vote in person. By law, the election process must be accessible to all. Every polling place is required to have at least one voting machine that provides access to disabled voters. Additionally, the polling place must have ramps, handrails and wheelchair accessible booths for voters to use.

Be sure to contact your county officials if you have any questions about in-person voting, or the voting process in general.

KEY POINTS

Polling places open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3. Some Kansas counties may open earlier or close later.

If you have a disability, polling centers are required to have accessible voting machines.

A valid photo ID is required for in-person voting. You can use a driver’s license or state-issued ID, a passport, a military ID, among others.

Advanced in-person voting is available at the Riley County Office Building or at the K-State Student Union.

VOTING BY MAIL Deadline approaches to request mail-in ballots

JOSIE WHITAKER

staff writer

With Election Day just around the corner on Nov. 3, it is important for voters to ensure their votes are counted. This year, voters in Kansas can request a mail-in ballot.

To request a mail-in ballot in Riley County, registered voters must fill out a mail-in application. The form must be filled out correctly for approval.

Voters who request advance ballots by mail must submit either

BAILEY BRITTON

editor-in-chief

The Kansas State Economics Club's annual Student Price Index shows a 1.5 percent decrease in student's cost of living in Manhattan compared to 2019. The SPI uses textbook prices, housing costs, the price of leisure items such as beer and pizza, among other things, as data.

In 2019, the SPI increased by 0.4 percent.

The club said COVID-19 and the slowed economic activity in the United States contributed to the decrease in prices.

“I was surprised to discover that the SPI had fallen from last year, even considering the current economic situation," Brock O’Brien, senior in economics and club president, said in a a valid driver’s license number or copies of photo identification. This identification, along with the application, must be submitted and delivered to the Riley County Clerk's Office by Tuesday, Oct. 27. The county will also accept ballots via fax to the Election Office at 785-537-6394 or by email at voterinfo@rileycountyks.gov.

Mail-in ballots and in-person voting begin Wednesday, Oct. 14. The sooner a ballot is sent in, the better chance of it being counted.

In order to be counted, completed ballots must be delivered in press release.

The largest increase was in Greek housing at 6.4 percent. Non-greek housing increased by 2.8 percent.

“Housing prices were down overall a year ago, so even in a deflationary environment, it is not surprising to see an increase in housing prices this year," Suzanne Roggenkamp, sophomore in economics and club vice president, said. "Generally, someone in Manhattan has discovered that their dollar has more value than it did in previous years.”

The price of gasoline decreased by 20.1 percent, the largest of the categories the economics club tracks.

“I enjoyed working on the SPI this year and the steep drop in fuel prices was something that was not surprising to see," Cody Murphy, sophomore in person to the Election Office by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, delivered to any polling place in Riley County or mailed and postmarked by Election Day.

Even if ballots are mailed-in and postmarked on Election Day or before, they must be received by Friday, Nov. 6, in order to count.

Voters can track their ballots' status after mailing it in or dropping it off on the Voter View website.

For more information on voting in advance and by mail in Riley County, visit the advance

Student Price Index shows increases in housing costs, decreases in all other categories

voting page on the county website. engineering, said. "Across the board, travel has been down since March which has massively reduced demand for gas. This drop is also despite a recovery in oil and gas prices since April of this year.”

For the second year, tuition remains steady.

The National Consumer Price Index increased by 1.4 percent from 2019, the club reports. "The last time we had a lower SPI was 2009 and that was a year, similar to 2020, which was very challenging for our students and our nation at large,” Dan Kuester, club adviser and director of economics undergraduate studies, said.

Since 2002, when the club began tracking the SPI, the index increased by approximately 130 percent.

Mail-in ballot requests spike in Riley County, other Kansas counties

SEAN SCHAPER

assistant news editor

This election year, an influx of mail-in ballots is expected as many Kansas counties saw an increase in requests caused pandemic concerns.

Election Day is approaching and the voter registration deadline for Kansas has passed. Early voting has begun. Until Nov. 3, registered Kansas voters can vote in person or by mail.

Rich Vargo, Riley County clerk, said 9,810 ballots have been mailed out for this election so far.

“In the 2016 general election we mailed 1,764 ballots,” Vargo said.

Other counties, where many Kansas State students reside, also saw a spike in mail-in ballot requests.

Jamie Shew, Douglas County clerk, said there really is no comparison when it comes to the numbers this year.

“In 2016, we mailed 7,948, and we received 7,330 back,” Shew said. “Yesterday we mailed 29,200, and I think we’re getting ready to mail another 1,000, so we’ll be over 30,000.”

Shew said the most the Douglas County Clerk’s office ever mailed before the pandemic was 13,000 in 2018 and 19,000 in the primary election.

Nancy McCarter, Pottawatomie County clerk and election official, said mail-in ballots are not new in her county.

“[Mail-in ballots] have increased over the 23 years that I’ve worked in this office,” McCarter said in an email. “In 2016, I mailed 1,207 ballots and had 1,259 walk-ins. As of today, 2020, I have mailed 3,727 and [had] 88 walk-in voters.”

The Johnson Coun-

ty Election Office issued 190,939 advance ballots in 2016 with 180,657 returned. For 2020, the election office has mailed out over 150,000 ballots just on Oct. 14.

Even if ballots are mailed in and postmarked on Election Day or before, they must be received by Friday, Nov. 6, in order to count. Riley County will also accept ballots via fax to the Election Office at 785-537-6394 or by email at voterinfo@rileycountyks.gov.

Voters can track their ballot’s status after mailing it in or dropping it off on the Voter View website.

For in-person voting, in order to be counted, completed ballots must be delivered to the Election Office or to any polling place in Riley County by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3.

For more information on the voting process, visit the advance voting page on the county website.

Alex Todd | COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP Party at the Polls was hosted on Nov. 6, 2018 in the KSU Foundation building. Hosted by the K-State Student Governing Association, it was open to the public and encouraged students to vote at the nearby voting location inside the Manhattan Fire Station.

Local election poll workers stepping up amid pandemic uncertainty

ALEXIS LETTERMAN

staff writer

Poll workers' demographics for the upcoming election are shaping up to look a little different due to COVID-19.

This year has already been out of the ordinary, Riley County Clerk Rich Vargo said in an email, with approximately 90 regular volunteers choosing to not assist this year because of COVID-19 concerns. As a result, Riley County had to recruit a large number of new election board workers to fill these vacancies.

“We are seeing new volunteers and some younger volunteers,” Vargo said.

This younger volunteer turnout seems to be a trend, not only in Riley County, but across the surrounding coun-

County institutes in-person election precautions

COLIN SETTLE

staff writer

With election season approaching, the Riley County Health Department and County Clerk’s office are working to ensure the safety of residents planning to vote in-person on Nov. 3.

“We just ask people to comply with the regulations we have set up, not only for themselves, but for others as well,” Riley County Clerk Rich Vargo said. “If someone forgets a mask, we do have some there for them.”

Vargo, who has served as Riley County Clerk for the last 24 years, said he wants to ensure the health and safety of all those voting in person in the upcoming election.

“It’s not a requirement where we can deny them the right to vote,” Vargo said. “If people show up not wearing masks, we can’t turn people away, we just ask that people comply.” ties as well.

“This is the first year there were 50 and below [volunteers] this time — before it was mostly older ones that retired,” Genille Gaskins, a four-year veteran or election volunteering in Geary County, said.

Some volunteers are stepping up out of concern for the more vulnerable age groups, who often fill the positions.

“I mean part of the reason I volunteered is because of coronavirus, I’d rather I be there than someone older,” Adam Miner, a 26-year-old volunteering for the first time in Johnson County, said.

However, volunteer demographics are not the only thing that will look different this upcoming election season.

Polls are setting up Plexi

Local health officer Julie Gibbs echoed Vargo’s request.

“Treat this the same as when you go anywhere in the community,” Gibbs said. “I would remind people to wear a mask and wash their hands right after.”

Gibbs said the expectations for in-person voting are no different than that of any other public outing during the pandemic.

“Treat this like any other event,” she said. “Masking, social distancing and stay home if you’re sick.”

Vargo said the county has already begun sending out mailin ballots for voters to send in to lower their risk of contracting COVID-19 at the polls.

“If they did not receive a [mail-in] ballot, and they need to go to the polls, wear your masks, use the hand sanitation stations and utilize social distancing,” Vargo said.

Cameron Minihan, sophomore in kinesiology, said as a glass for protection, requiring masks and providing hand sanitizer at the voting stations.

Contact precautions have also been implemented so voters will be the only ones who touch their papers. Volunteers will disinfect screens in use between each voter. All of these changes aim to increase voter safety, as well as the safety of volunteers and workers. "We are lucky to live in such a great community in which it was possible to find individuals willing to assist us during these times," Vargo said.

Archive Photo Rowan Jones

COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP Voting this November may look a little different than in

VOTING IN PERSON

years past. first-time voter, he’s concerned not knowing how the in-person voting process normally looks.

“I’m nervous just doing it for the first time, just not knowing what to do and just trying to figure it out, I guess,” Minihan said. “I’ve voted in the primaries, but not in the main election.”

Vargo said first-time voters like Minihan don’t have as much to worry about as they might think.

“The biggest thing for firsttime voters is not to be intimidated by the process,” Vargo said. “Everyone will have to have a photo ID, everyone should be educated enough to know we require masks and it’s a very simple process that will probably take less than five minutes.”

For questions regarding the voting process, COVID-19 precautions or any other issues that arise, Vargo said voters can contact the County Clerk’s Office or the Riley County Health Department.

ELECTION RESULTS

Influx of mail-in ballots could lead to delay between Election Day and final results

EMMA WITTER

news editor

In 2016, Riley County sent out 1,764 mail-in ballots. As of Wednesday, the county had sent 9,810 ballots for the general election, and Rich Vargo, Riley County clerk and elections official, said that number increases daily.

Many voters assume that election results are final on Election Day, but Vargo said this was never the case. This year in particular, with a surge in the number of mail-in voters, many ballots might not be counted until after Nov. 3.

Vargo said there’s always some variation between the unofficial results that come out on Election Day and the final election results released at the canvas of the election. This year, the canvas in Riley County is on Nov. 16.

“We will have preliminary, unofficial results on Nov. 3 for mail-in ballots and those submitted on Election Day,” Vargo said. “Throughout the week, we will add to those totals.”

Vargo said mail-in ballots can be thrown out for various reasons. One of the largest casters of thrown-out ballots in Riley County is unregistered college students, he said.

“I was in college — it’s not always on the forefront of your mind,” Vargo said. “[Students will] be in class on Election Day, and professors will tell them to go vote, but the problem is they didn’t take care of business and get registered.”

The registration deadline to vote in the general election in Kansas was Tuesday.

Hayley Spellman, founding member of the nonpartisan group Wildcats Vote and graduate student in teaching, cast her ballot early this year in Riley County.

Choosing to vote by mail

Parker Robb | COLLEGIAN MEDIA GROUP Voting by mail has gained popularity nationwide because of safety concerns related to COVID-19.

was a difficult decision for Spellman, who said she normally loves voting in person.

“I’m usually the first one that shows up when the polls open,” Spellman said. “I get a huge adrenaline rush that I just ride for the rest of the day.”

This year, Spellman said voting by mail felt like the safest option.

“With COVID and the unpredictability, it’s hard to know where things will be a week from now, let alone three weeks from now,” she said. “What if you’re quarantining on election day?”

Though voting by mail isn’t ideal for Spellman, this isn’t her first time. She also mailed in her ballot for the August primary for similar safety reasons and to figure out the process ahead of the general election.

Spellman’s advice to fellow mail-in voters is to vote early and ensure their information is marked correctly on the ballot.

“It’s very straightforward,” she said. “There are a couple things people should look out for though.”

For instance, voters should make sure their signature matches that on their voter registration forms. Signatures that don’t match could result in an invalid ballot.

The deadline to request a ballot for the general election is Oct. 27. Once received, mail-in ballots must be completely filled out and postmarked by Election Day and received by Friday, Nov. 6.

Spellman also recommended creating a voting plan to figure out the how, the where and the when of how you’ll vote. • Details to consider when formulating a voting plan,

Spellman said, include: • Whether a ballot has been requested. • When to fill out the ballot. • When the ballot will be sent back in. • If voting in person, where to vote, and how to get to the polls.

“Voting always takes time to plan out all those little details, and for this election, it’s insanely critical to figure out those details ahead of time,” Spellman said.

For Kansas voters to check their registration status, request a ballot and more, Spellman recommends the Kansas Votes website.

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