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HB 2021

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

2025-2026 Regular Session

HB 2021 would require the Secretary of State to adopt statewide rules for remote ballot boxes, standardizing dates, times, locations, and security for early ballots.

Stricken from Calendar by Rule 1507
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Bill Summary · HB 2021

Summary — HB 2021 (2025): Rules for use of remote ballot boxes

Purpose

HB 2021 would have required the Kansas Secretary of State, after consulting county election officers, to adopt statewide rules and regulations governing the use of remote ballot boxes for the return of advance (early) voting ballots. The intent was to establish standardized dates, times, locations, and security/integrity requirements for remote ballot boxes used by counties.

Key provisions

  • Rulemaking mandate: On or before January 1, 2026, the Secretary of State must adopt rules and regulations for county use of remote ballot boxes for returning advance ballots.
  • Required content of rules: At minimum, rules must specify the dates, times and locations for the use of remote ballot boxes and may include any other requirements the Secretary deems necessary to preserve the integrity of ballots, boxes, and the election process.
  • Definition: “Remote ballot boxes” means any form of locked ballot box designated by a county election officer for depositing advance voting ballots. The definition explicitly excludes ballot boxes located inside a county election office or at satellite advance voting sites.
  • Effective date: The act, as drafted, would take effect upon publication in the statute book if enacted.

Who would be affected

  • Secretary of State: responsible for drafting, adopting and publishing the rules after consultation with county election officers and for related training/outreach.
  • County election officers: required consultative role in rule development and would implement the Secretary’s rules locally (including setting specific box locations/times as authorized).
  • Voters who use advance voting: their options and the locations/times for depositing ballots could be standardized or changed under the new rules.
  • Counties: implementation could require expenses for acquiring/placing/monitoring boxes and complying with security or operational requirements.

Fiscal impact

  • State: The Secretary of State indicated the agency would absorb rulemaking, training, website and outreach tasks using existing staff and budget; no state fiscal effect was reflected in the FY 2026 Governor’s Budget Report.
  • Counties: The Kansas Association of Counties reported that the Secretary’s rules could have fiscal impacts on counties but could not estimate amounts; counties may incur costs for boxes, staffing, security, or signage.

Procedural status & timeline

  • Introduced at the request of Representative Waggoner and recommended by the House Committee on Elections (hearing included proponents from the Secretary’s office and written support from county associations; written opposition from the ACLU of Kansas and 14 private citizens).
  • Rule adoption deadline if enacted: January 1, 2026.
  • Final committee/legislative status: Stricken from Calendar by Rule 1507 (status: removed from further consideration on February 20, 2025).

Support and opposition (recorded)

  • Proponents: Representative of the Secretary of State (testimony), Kansas Association of Counties (written), Kansas County Clerk and Election Officer Association (written).
  • Opponents: ACLU of Kansas (written) and multiple private citizens (written).

Notes / considerations

  • The bill focused on enabling centralized, uniform standards for remote ballot boxes but left substantial discretion to the Secretary of State to set specific integrity and security measures.
  • Because the bill was stricken, its provisions did not advance; similar policy outcomes would require reintroduction or alternative legislative or administrative action.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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