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Minutes for HB2053 - Committee on Elections
Short Title
Authorizing the secretary of state to adopt rules and regulations for the use of remote ballot boxes for the return of advance voting ballots.
Minutes Content for Tue, Jan 31, 2023
The Chairperson opened the hearing on HB 2053 and called on Revisor Heim to review the bill. No questions were asked.
Proponents for this bill were:
Clay Barker, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, General Counsel. Mr. Barker stated this bill authorizes the Secretary of State to issue regulations on the use of remote ballot drop boxes by Kansas county election officials. (Attachment 22)
Rick Piepho, Election Committee Chair, Kansas County Clerks and Election Officials Association, supported authorizing the Secretary of State to adopt rules and regulations for the use of remote drop boxes for the return of advance ballots. (Attachment 23)
Cille King, Advocacy Chair, League of Women Voters Kansas, provided the following information. Requirements for secure boxes should be specified so that County Election Offices are clear in understanding secure, best practice rules. (Attachment 24)
Written-only proponent testimony was received from:
Madeline Malisa, Visiting Fellow, Opportunity Solutions Project (Attachment 25)
Speaking on the bill as opponents were:
Mike Burgess, Director of Policy and Outreach, Disability Rights Center of Kansas, wanted the Committee to consider the compounding impact of all of the policy changes that create barriers for individuals to vote. (Attachment 26)
Davis Hammet, Loud Light Civic Action, felt there was an unknown impact because the broad rules and regulations authorization appears to allow the current or any future Secretary of State to impose any restriction including an outright ban on ballot drop boxes. (Attachment 27)
There were no questions.
Aileen Berquist, Policy Director, American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, provided written-only opponent testimony .(Attachment 28)
Nathan J. Madden, Ph.D., Impact Strategist - Policy, Health Forward Foundation, also provided written-only opponent testimony. (Attachment 29)
Speaking as a neutral on HB 2053 was Caleb Smith, Inclusive Campaign Director, Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. (Attachment 30)
There were no other proponents, opponents, or neutrals.
Chairperson Proctor thanked the conferees for appearing and providing testimony today.
He closed the hearing on HB 2053.
