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Minutes for SB394 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Requiring all advanced voting ballots be returned by 7 p.m. on election day.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 15, 2022
The Chairman opened the hearing and called upon Jason Long for a revisor overview of the bill. (Attachment 1)
The Chair called for testimony.
Proponent Rep. Charlotte Esau explained that she introduced the bill because of concerns by voters in her district. Rep. Esau justified the 7 pm deadline because advance voters have three weeks to get their ballot delivered. (Attachment 2)
Proponent Keith Esau indicated that at first he was alright with having a three day after election deadline for mail-in ballots, but since then there have been so many problems and concerns about the process. (Attachment 3)
Proponent Stewart Whitson opined that many people feel that election day should be concluded 7 pm on election day. He explained that delays of ballots are causing serious concern by voters. (Attachment 4)
Missy Leavitt echoed the previous proponents and stressed that meeting the deadlines a matter of personal responsibility. (Attachment 5)
Written-Only Proponents:
Hannah Mingucci, Citizen (Attachment 6)
Rob Strathman, Citizen (Attachment 7)
Steven Snitz, Citizen (Attachment 8)
Jill O'Connor, Citizen (Attachment 9)
Opponent Ann Mah indicated that she has a passion for voting rights. Ms. Mah suggested that the combination of three days and drop boxes served some very important purposes. Ms. Mah cited that registered Democrats are far more likely to vote by mail than others. (Attachment 10)
Opponent Mike Burgess expressed concerns that it may take fourteen days to receive and actually return a mail-in ballot. Mr. Burgess described the compounding impact upon those with disabilities of the proposed bill. (Attachment 11)
Opponent Erin Woods stressed her concerns about out of town residents and students. (Attachment 12)
Opponent Stacy Knoell stated that any hurdle that will effect urban African-American as well as rural and disability communities. (Attachment 13)
Opponent Caleb Smith indicated that current law protects voters from factors outside of their control. (Attachment 14)
Opponent Davis Hammet cited thousands of votes that were postmarked before the election, but that would not be counted under the current bill. (Attachment 15)
Opponent Cille King reminded the committee that it was a current election official of the Kansas Secretary of State's office that strongly recommended the current three day period. (Attachment 16)
Opponent Michael Poppa reiterated previous testimony and explained that a significant voter education campaign would be required to make the voters aware of the changes. (Attachment 17)
Written-Only
Amy Voelker, Citizen (Attachment 18)
Alice Capson, Citizen (Attachment 19)
Jeri Graham, Citizen (Attachment 20)
Jennifer Ancell, Citizen (Attachment 21)
Laura Wiltanger, Citizen (Attachment 22)
Leslie Mark, Citizen (Attachment 23)
Sandra Sherry, Citizen (Attachment 24)
Anita Parsa, Citizen (Attachment 25)
Colleen Connor, Citizen (Attachment 26)
Rick Piepho, Harvey County Election Clerk (Attachment 27)
Jennifer Hamblin Robinson, Citizen (Attachment 28)
Lauren Tice Miller, KNEA (Attachment 29)
Becky Gunn, Citizen (Attachment 30)
Aileen Berquist, ACLU (Attachment 31)
Nikki McDonald, Citizen (Attachment 32)
Vicki Kohl, Citizen (Attachment 33)
Randay Warner, Citizen (Attachment 34)
Neutral Clay Barker offered some mechanical issues regarding how the proposed bill would effect those who are charged to collect and count the votes. (Attachment 35)
Due to a time constraint the Chair closed the hearing on the bill.
