Elections

HB 2659 requires all election audits and recounts in Kansas to be conducted by hand-counting physical paper ballots, rather than using electronic systems. It directly affects Kansas election officials, voters, and candidates by mandating that paper ballots become the official record for audits and recounts, with hand counts overriding any electronic tallies if discrepancies arise. Key provisions include banning the use of ballot images or copies for audits, requiring voter-verified paper ballots for all elections after 2024, and prohibiting electronic poll books without handwritten signatures. The bill also specifies that audits must be performed publicly by bipartisan election boards, reviewing contested races as defined by election year type.

HB 2449 requires Kansas voters to attest on registration forms that obtaining a driver's license from another state constitutes a change in residency for voting purposes. If a voter receives a driver's license from another state, election officials must automatically remove them from Kansas voter registration rolls. The bill amends Kansas election law (K.S.A. 25-2309) to add this attestation requirement and removal process. It directly affects voters who relocate to another state and obtain a driver's license there.

HB 2257 would enact Kansas' participation in the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, an agreement among states to award all electoral votes to the candidate winning the national popular vote. If passed and if enough states join to control 270+ electoral votes, Kansas would hold a statewide popular election for president, then pool votes with other participating states to determine the national winner; Kansas would then certify electors for that winner. This would replace Kansas' current winner-takes-all system for allocating electoral votes. The bill directly affects Kansas voters and election officials, as it would change how the state appoints presidential electors. The compact only takes effect when states with a majority of electoral votes (270+) enact it.

HB 2091 requires Kansas to offer voter registration to individuals leaving state prisons upon discharge and mandates the Secretary of State to create programs providing registration services at three state agencies (children’s services, aging/disability services, and labor) and all accredited high schools for students aged 17 or older. It clarifies that applicants for agency services must be informed if proof of citizenship is needed to complete voter registration, and requires registration forms to be submitted to election officials. The bill amends existing law to ensure discharged inmates whose civil rights are restored receive registration opportunities and updates voting eligibility rules to exempt those registering under this law. This directly affects former inmates, state agency applicants, and high school students, expanding access points for voter registration without altering voting qualifications.

HB 2023 creates a new felony offense for intimidating, threatening, coercing, or attempting to do so against election officials who perform duties like running polls, counting ballots, or serving on election boards. This law directly affects election officials (such as county clerks, election judges, and board members) by making interference with their work punishable as a severity level 7 nonperson felony. The bill specifically excludes enforcement actions between election officials when permitted by law. It aims to protect election workers from harassment or retaliation while performing their official duties.