House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for SB388 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Requiring the use of the United States postal service when returning an advance ballot by mail.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 10, 2022
The Chairman opened the hearing and called upon Jason Long for a Revisors overview of the bill.
The Chairman called for testimony on the bill.
Proponent Vice-Chairman Richard Hilderbrand stated that the bill does not ban ballot drop boxes, but does require them to be manned at all times of use. Sen. Hilderbrand explained the importance of a uniform standard on how all ballots across the state are handled.
Committee discussion ensued.
Proponent Missy Leavitt requested that the committee consider requiring all advance voting ballots be notarized and expressed additional security concerns with the usage of other delivery options.
Ad Hoc Proponent Mellissa McCallister pointed out that an official mail ballot symbol that is to denote the urgency to expedite the election mailing piece and expressed the need for more uniform terminology in the law.
Written-Only Proponent:
Stewart Whitson, Opportunity Solutions (Attachment 4)
Hannah Mingucci, Self (Attachment 5)
Alex Garibay, Self (Attachment 6)
Joshua Aberle, Self (Attachment 7)
Lauren Shiffman, Self (Attachment 8)
Opponent Mike Burgess related the difficulty of a disabled person in voting and that this bill might create new barriers to a disabled person to vote.
Opponent Davis Hammett urged great caution before changing any of the election laws.
Opponent Michael Poppa stated opposition to the bill and referenced Secretary of State praises of how well the elections were conducted.
Opponent Stacey Knoell offered a list of petitioners that oppose making the changes proposed by this bill.
(The conferee stepped forward to speak without being recognized by the Chairman and left a document with the committee assistant that did not contain her name).
Opponent Cille King suggested several examples during the course of American History where flexibility has been provided to those who may have difficulties in voting.
Opponent Aileen Berquist opposes the bill because as she stated that non-postal delivery options such as Federal Express and UPS have been reliable options and should continue to be so for returning last day ballots.
Written-Only Opponent:
Senator Dynah Sykes, Kansas Senate (Attachment 14)
Laura Robeson, Self (Attachment 15)
Bidie Alt, Self (Attachment 16)
Debra Schnieder, Self (Attachment 17)
Erin Smith-Bird, Self (Attachment 18)
Colleen Cunningham, (Attachment 19)
Nina Frick, Self (Attachment 20)
Kay Kemper, Self (Attachment 21)
Emily Barlett, Self (Attachment 22)
Jennifer Ancell, Self (Attachment 23)
Anita Parsa Self (Attachment 24)
Joanna Scholtz, Self (Attachment 25)
Erin Woods, Self (Attachment 26)
Larry Burks, Sr, NAACP (Attachment 27)
Lauren Tice Miller, Kansas National Education Association (Attachment 28)
Neutral Rick Piepho suggested that the ballot drop box is considered an extension to the election office and is considered to be personal delivery. (Attachment 29)
Neutral Clay Barker stated that there are no statutes dealing with drop boxes, but during the covid crises election offices requested that federal covid relief funding was used to purchase ballot drop boxes for those counties that requested them. Mr. Barker suggested some changes to the proposed bill.
Neutral Caleb Smith asserted that ballot drop boxes are an important option for many to be able to vote and suggested that the bill be amended to make sure ballot drop boxes can still be used.
Written-Only Neutral:
Corrine Wray, Self (Attachment 32)
Seeing no more testimony the Chairman closed the hearing on the bill.
