Kansas puts head in the sand regarding 2020 elections

What the country needs right now is a plan.

Actually it needs lots of plans for how things are going to work if COVID-19 sticks around for months or more. What are we going to do with schools? With businesses? With elections?

Many of our elected officials, especially on the federal level, seem incapable of anticipating what’s ahead. They’re more focused on finding someone to blame for all the awful news.

We would be better served if they also looked ahead and planned for what’s to come.

That includes what we should do about elections.

Many are proposing that states adopt vote-by-mail systems for upcoming elections. 

It’s a good idea and should be pursued, but not as the only option.

Expanding use of vote centers and advanced voting, for example, would help spread voting out, making it easier to comply with social distancing requirements and stay-at-home orders.

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab refused to implement a state law that would have given counties those tools. Although legislators approved the use of vote centers about a year ago, Schwab said he didn’t have time to write the rules and ensure all counties were informed, trained and equipped.

That’s not a response that bodes well for Kansas in its current health crisis.

Of course, all might be fine by the Aug. 4 primary. People might not be worried about a coronavirus that has killed tens of thousands and for which there is no vaccine.

Perhaps President Donald Trump was right when he advised Americans that COVID-19 would just “disappear” one day soon.

But it might be wise to have a plan in case that doesn’t happen, in case the experts are right that the coronavirus will be a threat at some level until we have a vaccine, which is probably about a year away.

The plan for how to hold elections should be taking shape now, and it should be ready to go by July 1, giving officials time to educate voters about changes.