Kansas House Bill HB2021

Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/16/25
• Refer: 1/16/25
• Report Pass: 2/6/25

Caption

Authorizing the secretary of state, in consultation with county election officers, to adopt rules and regulations for the use of remote ballot boxes.

Summary

HB2021 would direct the Kansas secretary of state, after consulting with county election officers, to adopt rules and regulations governing the use of remote ballot boxes for the return of advance voting ballots by January 1, 2026. The bill defines remote ballot boxes as locked ballot boxes designated by county election officers for depositing advance voting ballots, while expressly excluding ballot boxes located in a county election office or a satellite advance voting site. The rules adopted under the bill must address the dates, times, and locations for remote ballot box use, along with any additional requirements the secretary considers necessary to protect ballot integrity, the security of the boxes, and the election process. The bill is a procedural election administration measure rather than a change to voter eligibility or ballot counting rules, and it gives the secretary of state discretion to set operational standards within the stated framework.

Impact

HB2021 would affect Kansas election administration by authorizing statewide rules for a specific method of returning advance voting ballots. It would not itself create remote ballot boxes, but it would establish a regulatory framework for county election officers to use them and would likely standardize security and access requirements across counties. The bill primarily impacts the secretary of state, county election officers, and voters who return advance ballots by drop box or similar locked receptacle.

Sentiment

Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be a technical, administrative election bill with no recorded committee debate or vote history in the provided materials. The overall tone is neutral and procedural, focusing on implementation details and election integrity rather than partisan policy changes. Because there are no transcripts or votes included, there is no documented support or opposition to characterize beyond the bill’s administrative purpose.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the use of remote ballot boxes themselves, especially questions about ballot security, chain of custody, access, and whether counties should have broad discretion in where and when they are available. Supporters would likely emphasize convenience for voters and standardized safeguards, while critics may focus on fraud prevention, oversight, and whether the secretary of state should have authority to set these rules. The bill’s exclusion of ballot boxes at county election offices and satellite advance voting sites may also matter to those concerned about how broadly the term is applied.