Kansas Senate Bill SB6

Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/14/25
• Refer: 1/15/25
• Report Pass: 1/29/25
• Engrossed: 2/6/25
• Refer: 2/6/25
• Report Pass: 3/7/25
• Enrolled: 3/21/25
• Passed: 4/10/25

Caption

Prohibiting the use of ranked-choice voting methods for conducting elections.

Summary

SB 6 would prohibit the use of any ranked-choice voting method in Kansas elections for federal, state, county, and municipal offices. The bill defines ranked-choice voting as a system in which voters rank candidates by preference and ballots are tabulated in successive rounds, eliminating the lowest vote-getter each round until a candidate achieves a majority. It also declares that any local ordinance, resolution, or regulation adopting a prohibited ranked-choice voting method before July 1, 2025, is null and void. In practical terms, the bill would preempt local governments and election administrators from adopting or continuing ranked-choice voting systems and would preserve traditional election methods for candidate selection and nomination. The measure takes effect upon publication in the Kansas Register, making it immediately operative after enactment.

Impact

The bill would amend Kansas election law by creating a statewide ban on ranked-choice voting and invalidating conflicting local enactments adopted before July 1, 2025. It affects federal, state, county, and municipal elections within Kansas by preventing election officials and local governments from using or authorizing ranked-choice voting methods. The legislation would also limit future policy experimentation by cities or counties that might otherwise consider alternative voting systems.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have received majority support in both chambers, passing the Senate 29-10, the House 86-37, and the Senate concurrence vote 30-10. Those vote margins suggest the measure had solid backing, though not unanimous support, and that opposition remained significant. The available record does not include committee testimony, so the public debate is reflected mainly in the roll-call votes rather than detailed discussion.

Contention

The main point of contention is whether Kansas should allow ranked-choice voting as an alternative to traditional plurality or majority-based election methods. Supporters of the ban likely view ranked-choice voting as confusing, administratively burdensome, or inconsistent with established election practices, while opponents likely see it as a reform that can broaden voter choice and improve majority support outcomes. The bill’s nullification of preexisting local ordinances also raises a state-versus-local control issue, since it overrides any municipal efforts to adopt ranked-choice voting.