Prohibiting remote ballot boxes, providing for reporting and publication of voting results and public access to voting records and materials, limiting advance voting provisions and requiring receipt of advance voting ballots by election day, limiting the size of precincts, making the general election a state holiday, providing that the sheriff has sole jurisdiction for and shall provide security at voting places, establishing the authority of the legislature over elections with preeminence over rules and regulations of the secretary of state and federal election law and making certain election crimes felonies.
Impact
The bill specifically limits the types of advance voting ballots that can be mailed out, permitting this only for voters who are temporarily or permanently disabled or ill. Additionally, it requires that all applications for advance voting ballots be submitted in writing and be notarized, adding a layer of accessibility for individuals with disabilities. The legislation also seeks to increase election security by ensuring comprehensive oversight of the voting process, with the county sheriff responsible for the security at polling places and specific felonies outlined for election crimes, potentially deterring fraudulent activities.
Summary
Senate Bill 260 addresses various aspects of election procedures in the state of Kansas. The bill prohibits the use of remote ballot boxes, mandates clear and accessible reporting of election-related materials by county election officers, and restricts advance voting provisions. Notably, the legislation ensures that all election-related materials are made publicly accessible prior to election certification, and establishes that the day of the general election will be recognized as a state holiday, encouraging higher voter participation.
Contention
There are significant points of contention surrounding SB 260, particularly regarding the measures that restrict voting access, such as the ban on remote ballot boxes and tightened regulations on advance voting applications. Opponents of the bill argue that these restrictions could disproportionately affect low-income individuals and disabled voters, making it more difficult for them to participate in elections. Supporters, however, contend that these measures are necessary for ensuring the integrity and security of elections, framing the legislation as a means to safeguard the electoral process.
Requiring applications for advance voting ballots be filed by the 14th day prior to election day, that advance voting in person be completed by 12:00 p.m. on the Sunday prior to election day, extending the time for transmittal of advance voting ballots to 22 days prior to an election and ending the time for voter registration at 23 days prior to election day.
Requiring the election commissioners in the four largest counties to designate at least three advance voting sites as determined by the board of county commissioners and providing for in-person advance voting 20 days prior to an election in such counties.
In county boards of elections, further providing for expenses of county boards and of primaries and elections to be paid by county, expenses of special elections and boards to be provided with offices; in voting by qualified absentee electors, further providing for date of application for absentee ballot and for voting by absentee electors; and, in voting by qualified mail-in electors, further providing for voting by mail-in electors.
In county boards of elections, further providing for powers and duties of county boards; in datesof elections and primaries and special elections, providing for authorization of ranked choice voting in municipal elections; in nomination of candidates, further providing for which candidates nominated; in ballots, further providing for form of official primary ballot; in electronic voting systems, further providing for election day procedures and the process of voting; in preparation for and conduct of primaries and elections, further providing for method of marking ballots and depositing same in districts in which ballots are used and for count and return of votes in districts in which ballots are used; and, in returns of primaries and elections, further providing for persons receiving highest number of votes to be declared elected.