MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR

Senate Bill No. 209

An Act concerning elections; relating to advance voting ballots; requiring the return of such ballots by 7 p.m. on the day of the election; amending K.S.A. 25-1132 and repealing the existing section.

Message to the Legislature of the State of Kansas

As the daughter of a career Army officer, I cannot support measures that would disenfranchise members of our armed services – who fight for our freedoms, including the right to vote – from casting their own ballot.

This bill eliminates the three-day grace period for mail-in ballots often used by those in the military serving across the country or overseas.

It would also likely result in too many rural Kansans not having their votes counted in important elections. That is unacceptable. We should be doing everything we can to make it easier – not harder – for Kansans to make their voices heard at the ballot box.

Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 209.

Laura Kelly, Governor

Dated April 19, 2023.