MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR

Senate Bill No. 4

An Act concerning elections; relating to advance voting ballots; requiring the return of such ballots by 7:00 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:

The three-day grace period for mail ballots was a bipartisan solution approved by the Legislature in 2017 to address delays in processing of mail by the United States Postal Service, particularly in rural areas. The goal was to ensure that all Kansans had their votes counted, no matter where they lived.

Not only will removing the three-day grace period for mail ballots disenfranchise thousands of Kansas voters, but it also shows a lack of understanding of our elections in Kansas. Implementing this will create confusion among county election officials, who will have to update policies and procedures on handling of mail ballots in a higher turnout election year.

This bill is an attack on rural Kansans who want to participate in the electoral process guaranteed by our Constitution. I will not sign legislation that deprives Kansans from having their vote counted.

Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 4.

Laura Kelly, Governor

Dated March 24, 2025.