Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab visited the KVOE studios this week to discuss several topics, including recent efforts towards election modernization.
On KVOE’s Newsmaker 2 segment airing Tuesday, Schwab says the “modernization” process was actually several overdue updates.
Modernization also happened with the state’s write-in policy. Previously, residents have written in cartoon characters or phrases totally unrelated to elections — and those ballots would have to be counted. Now, candidates in larger-populated counties need to file affidavits signaling their intent to run or else votes in their favor are not counted.
In addition, the notice period for school bond and city bond elections has expanded from 30 to 45 days to align with federal law.
Schwab also discussed the upcoming presidential preference primary in March, noting the differences between that process and the one for standard primaries like the one currently underway for local elections.
Schwab says there is still some flux with the presidential primaries because Democrats and Republicans haven’t determined how delegates will be allocated. This primary effort could cost the state close to $5 million.
Schwab also says this year’s Legislative effort to end the three-day grace period for accepting mail ballots postmarked on or before Election Day but not returning to county courthouses until after the election could well be over. The bill was vetoed and not overridden.
