WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE) – An investigation is underway after voters claim Sedgwick County Commission candidate Jeff Blubaugh’s wife refused to turn a shirt for her husband’s campaign inside out while voting this week, which would violate electioneering laws.

Witnesses say election volunteers asked Blubaugh to turn the shirt with her husband’s name inside out before voting and that she refused.

Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater even came to the site and also asked Blubaugh to do the same, and witnesses allege she refused again. Election volunteers then contacted the Secretary of State’s office.

Jeff Blubaugh, a Republican, is a former city council member in Wichita and has run numerous campaigns before this.

Kansas election laws prohibit any type of campaigning near a polling place, whether that is clothing or signs that support any current candidate on the ballot.

The second district for the Sedgwick County Commissioners was a very tight race in 2020, with Democrat and current officeholder Sarah Lopez winning an open seat against Republican Michael O’Donnell by 264 votes. Signs for Lopez and Blubaugh fill front yards and intersections all over the district, which extends from southwest Wichita to the southwest corner of the county.

Witnesses say Blubaugh’s wife did vote with the shirt on without turning it inside out and left.

The Sedgwick County Sheriff, Jeff Easter, told KAKE that the department along with the district attorney’s office are actively investigating the allegations.

KAKE reached out to Jeff Blubaugh for comment and he has not responded.