KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The election commissioner in Johnson County, Kansas, has submitted his resignation.
In a statement Thursday morning, Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab said his office had accepted Ronnie Metsker's resignation.
“The Office of Secretary of State has accepted the resignation of Johnson County Election Commissioner Ronnie Metsker,” Schwab said in a statement. “Under his management, the Johnson County Election Office oversaw a new era of election administration with modern technology and the implementation of a new voting system. We are grateful for his service and leadership and wish him well on his future endeavors.”
Schwab did not give a reason for Metsker's resignation. Johnson County experienced delays in reporting election results in both November 2016 and August 2018, but a spokeswoman for Schwab said those issues were not why Metsker resigned, according to the Associated Press.
Metsker was appointed to the position in February 2016 by former Secretary of State Kris Kobach.
Schwab said the Johnson County Election Office will be managed by county employees — under the oversight of the Secretary of State’s office — until a replacement is named. A six-member committee with representatives from Johnson County and the Secretary of State's office will review and interview candidates.
Schwab said an open application period will be in place until 5 p.m. on Monday, January 6.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
