TOPEKA, Kan. ( KSNT ) – A new bill up for debate this legislative session would adjust the days during which Kansans can vote.
The House Election Committee held a hearing Thursday for House Bill 2512 . This bill would require advance ballots that are cast in person to arrive at the county election office by 7 p.m. the Sunday before Election Day instead. The current deadline is noon the day before an election.
Rep. Pat Proctor (R-Leavenworth) said the move would help local election offices better prepare for election-day voters.
“I heard a lot of election officers say that it is very difficult for them to stop early voting at noon and get all the electronic poll books reset in time to get stuff out to the polling places, especially when you’re a two-man band or a one-man band,” Rep. Proctor said.
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The change would take away the option for people to vote that Monday before the election.
Voting activist and Loud Light President Davis Hammet said the Monday before the election is important because it brings a variety of people to the polls. He says that opportunity shouldn’t be taken away.