Election Law: Kansas AG Halts Canvassing Group Over Gift Card Offers

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach has ordered a voter engagement group to stop providing financial rewards to residents. The intervention comes three days before the general election, with Kobach arguing that the practice violates both state and federal statutes governing election integrity.

The legal action was triggered by a specific incident reported by a Kansas voter. The individual stated that a canvasser associated with Bluestem Kansas offered a $5 gift card in exchange for voting. Kobach issued the cease-and-desist letter to the organization on Saturday, Oct. 31. The directive requires Bluestem to halt all offers tied to the Nov. 3 election immediately.

State law classifies election bribery as a severity level 7 nonperson felony. The statute prohibits giving, offering, or agreeing to give any benefit in exchange for a vote. Federal law also criminalizes the payment of voters in elections involving federal candidates. Kobach stated that the letter also mandates Bluestem to preserve all records related to its canvassing efforts. These records include text messages, emails, scripts, training guides, and payment logs.

Kobach expressed surprise at the timing and method of the outreach. “As attorney general and before that as secretary of state, I have prosecuted many cases of voter fraud in Kansas, including voting by non-citizens and double voting,” Kobach said. He continued, “But I never thought that a group in Kansas would be so brazen as to go door-to-door three days before a general election offering voters monetary incentives.” He compared the tactic to Chicago in the 1950s rather than Kansas in the 2020s.

The attorney general’s office is currently seeking additional witnesses. Officials are asking anyone who received cash, gift cards, or other incentives from Bluestem to call investigators at 785-296-2215. Callers are requested to provide dates, locations, photos, or written materials left by canvassers to aid the investigation.

Bluestem Kansas has not yet responded to inquiries for comment. The organization must comply with the order to preserve records and stop incentives while the Nov. 3 election approaches. Kobach said that as long as he serves as attorney general, those who violate election laws will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.