Kansas City Debuts New Voting Tech for Smooth Municipal Election

Seamless transition to ExpressVote and DS300 systems boosts voter trust and poll worker efficiency.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 6:54pm

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A serene, photorealistic painting of an empty polling place interior with warm, golden light streaming in through the windows, a single voter standing at a touch screen voting machine, and a sense of quiet contemplation and civic engagement.The new voting technology in Kansas City helped streamline the electoral process and build voter confidence in the integrity of the democratic system.Kansas City Today

Kansas City's April 7 municipal election saw the successful rollout of new voting technology, including the ExpressVote Universal Voting System and DS300 poll place tabulators from Election Systems & Software (ES&S). The new equipment helped streamline operations, improve the voter experience, and increase confidence in the electoral process, according to election officials.

Why it matters

The smooth implementation of new voting technology in Kansas City is a positive sign for election integrity and voter trust. As more jurisdictions adopt modern systems, ensuring a seamless transition is crucial for maintaining confidence in the democratic process.

The details

In the election, nearly 26,000 voters cast ballots at 70 polling locations citywide. 100% of early voters used the ExpressVote touch screen system to mark their paper ballots. Election officials reported fast voting times, easy setup and closing procedures for poll workers, and an overall sense of familiarity and comfort with the new equipment.

  • The Kansas City municipal election took place on April 7, 2026.
  • The city deployed the new voting technology city-wide for the first time in this election.

The players

Shawn Kieffer

Republican member of the Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners.

Lauri Ealom

Democratic member of the Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners.

Election Systems & Software (ES&S)

The company that provided the ExpressVote Universal Voting System and DS300 poll place tabulators used in the election.

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What they’re saying

“From a voter's perspective, speed and ease are everything. In this election, from the time a voter walked into the polling place to the time they left, it took about two minutes. That's a tremendous improvement. Getting people in and out quickly builds confidence in the system.”

— Shawn Kieffer, Republican member of the Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners

“For most voters, the experience felt very familiar, which was important. The equipment worked so similarly to what people were used to that it didn't feel intimidating or disruptive. That seamlessness really matters. It keeps voters comfortable.”

— Lauri Ealom, Democratic member of the Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners

“Voters appreciate being able to see and review their paper ballot before casting it. Having something tangible builds confidence. They know exactly what they voted for, and that makes people feel secure in the process.”

— Lauri Ealom, Democratic member of the Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners

What’s next

Election officials in Kansas City plan to continue working closely with ES&S to ensure the new voting technology remains reliable and user-friendly for future elections.

The takeaway

The successful rollout of modern voting equipment in Kansas City demonstrates how seamless transitions to new technology can boost voter trust and improve the overall electoral process. As more jurisdictions adopt similar systems, maintaining a focus on ease of use and transparency will be crucial for preserving confidence in American democracy.