Bill > HB2490

This bill clarifies the signature verification requirements for advance voting ballot envelopes and provides for the repeal of most advance voting statutes, except where federal law mandates it, if a state or federal court invalidates these signature verification requirements. Specifically, the bill states that if a final, unappealable court order invalidates or prevents the enforcement of the current signature verification rules for advance voting ballot envelopes (found in K.S.A. 25-1124(h)), the Secretary of State will publish a notice in the Kansas Register, and upon publication, all statutory authorization for advance voting by mail in Kansas will become void, with the exception of voting by mail required by federal law, such as the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act. The bill also amends existing law (K.S.A. 25-1121) to refine the language regarding who can sign an advance voting ballot envelope on behalf of a voter who is physically unable to sign or unable to sign in a way that matches their signature on file in the voter registration database, and clarifies the affidavit statement for such individuals. Finally, the bill repeals numerous advance voting statutes, including K.S.A. 25-1121, on July 1, 2026, and upon the publication of the notice mentioned above, effectively ending most advance voting by mail in Kansas unless mandated by federal law.

Government Affairs

Elections (House)

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2490/