Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates in federal, state and local races address leading up to the Nov. 3 election.

Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to residents across Johnson County.

Each day this week, we’ll publish the candidates’ responses to one question. So far, we’ve published responses on early voting sites, voter data and Washington, and proof of citizenship.

Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:

This is a partisan race, but the job of secretary of state is to ensure elections are run fairly for all regardless of party affiliation. How would you assure voters of all parties of your impartiality in running state elections and certifying results?

Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on the issue:

Jennifer Day (Democratic)

The Secretary of State serves every Kansan, regardless of party affiliation, and that responsibility must always come before partisan politics. I believe voters deserve an election system where the rules are applied consistently, results are determined by the votes cast, and every eligible citizen can trust that their vote counts.

I will follow Kansas law, uphold established election procedures, and ensure decisions are guided by facts and evidence, not political pressure or personal interests. I will work collaboratively with county election officials across the state, support transparent processes, and communicate clearly with the public about how elections are administered and results are certified.

My loyalty is to the people of Kansas and our Constitution, not a political party. Every voter deserves fair treatment, every eligible vote deserves to be counted, and every election must be administered with integrity.

Scott Morgan (United Kansas)

This is central to why I am running.

The Secretary of State should be a neutral referee, not another political player. I am not a Republican or a Democrat, and I would enter the office without a partisan stake in which party wins an election.

I also question whether it makes sense to elect the person in charge of administering our elections through a partisan political process. I would prefer a system in which elections are overseen by a professional administrator whose job is to make sure elections are run fairly, securely and competently, without allegiance to any political party. Until Kansas makes such a change, I believe I am the closest thing voters can choose to a nonpartisan elections administrator.

Impartiality also has to be demonstrated through conduct. I would apply the law consistently, support professional county election officials, make decisions transparently and explain those decisions publicly. When disputes arise, the question should be what the law requires, not what helps a particular candidate or party.

Certification should work the same way. If the lawful process produces a result I like, I certify it. If it produces a result I dislike, I certify it.

Kansas voters of every political persuasion should know that the Secretary of State works for them, not for a political party.

Pat Proctor (Republican)

Neither party should be putting its thumb on the scale in an improper manner to subvert the integrity of our elections. That’s why, last week, I asked the Kansas Attorney General to investigate my opponent’s organization, the Kansas League of Women Voters, for paying students to register to vote in violation of federal law. The matter has since been referred to the US Attorney for investigation and possible prosecution. We owe it to Kansas to be able to assure them that our elections occur on a fair playing field.

Coming up:

Tomorrow, we will publish the candidates’ responses to the following question:

President Trump has called for ending mail voting, and a new Kansas law now requires mail ballots to arrive by Election Day. (That law is currently being challenged in court, and a three-day grace period for mail-in ballots still applies for the Nov. 3 election.) If federal officials moved to restrict mail ballots, how would you respond? What would you do to make sure ballots mailed on time are counted?