Democrats say problems clouded voting in Topeka

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Democrats in the Topeka area say they're worried that dozens of people may have been directed to the wrong polling places in this week's elections.

Attorney Richard Benson says Shawnee County's Democratic Party received multiple complaints of problems. Benson filed an Election Day lawsuit on behalf of a poll watcher and a voter who initially was turned away from voting at the Topeka Bible Church in central Topeka.

Election Commissioner Andrew Howell declined comment Thursday.

In an affidavit, the voter said the election office told her by mail that the church was her polling place. But Benson said she was not listed in the poll book.

Court records show that District Judge Larry Hendricks had a hearing but declined to intervene because the voter ultimately cast a provisional ballot.