Requiring the return of advance voting ballots by 7:00 p.m. on the day of the election.

2025-2026 Regular Session

HB 2017 requires advance ballots be physically received by 7:00 p.m. Election Day to count; late-arriving postmarked ballots won't be canvassed, impacting voters and county offices.

Died in Committee

#elections

Purpose

HB 2017 amends Kansas election law (K.S.A. 25-1132) to change when advance (mail) voting ballots must be received by county election offices in order to be delivered for canvass. The bill shortens the receipt window by requiring ballots to be physically received by 7:00 p.m. on election day rather than being accepted if postmarked by election day and delivered within three days after the election.

Key provisions

Replaces the existing mail‑receipt rule in K.S.A. 25-1132 with a new deadline:

Advance voting ballots must be received in the county election officer’s office or any county polling place no later than the hour the polls close on election day (expressed in the bill as 7:00 p.m. on election day).
Ballots arriving after poll closing — even if postmarked or indicated by USPS as mailed on or before the close of polls — will not be accepted for delivery to the special election board or county board of canvassers.

Continues requirement that county election officers deliver timely-received advance ballots to the appropriate special election board for canvass.

Directs the Secretary of State to adopt rules and regulations implementing the change.

Who is affected

Voters who use advance (mail) ballots: ballots must be physically received by the county by 7:00 p.m. on election day to be counted.

County election officers and polling places: responsible for receiving ballots by the new deadline and delivering them to special election boards.

Secretary of State and local election officials: required to update rules, training, and public information.

Counties: may face increased procedural inquiries, disputes, or administrative workload concerning late-arriving ballots.

Fiscal and administrative impact

The Secretary of State states it can update training and public materials using existing resources.

The Kansas Association of Counties warns the change could increase the number of potentially invalidated mail ballots that arrive late, possibly increasing county costs for dispute processing; no cost estimate provided.

The Division of the Budget reports no fiscal impact reflected in the FY2026 Governor’s Budget Report.

Legislative status / timeline

Introduced: January 22, 2025.

Enacted: Signed by the Governor on June 20, 2025.

Effective date: September 1, 2025.

Companion bill: SB 1133 (listed as related).

Notes: The bill repeals the prior text of K.S.A. 25-1132 and replaces it with the revised receipt/deadline language. Voters relying on postal delivery should plan to mail ballots well in advance or use drop-off/polling locations to ensure timely physical receipt by 7:00 p.m. on election day.

Bill