Elections and Ethics

Report of the Special Committee on Governmental Ethics Reform, Campaign Finance Law to the 2024 Kansas Legislature

The Committee is directed to
evaluate current laws and regulations concerning the Kansas Governmental Ethics
Commission and campaign finance and recommend changes to the Legislature.

Report of the Special Committee on Elections to the 2024 Kansas Legislature

As election integrity has been a topic of consideration for the Legislature over the past several sessions, the Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) authorized the Special Committee on Elections (Committee) to continue study on advance voting ballots, voter roll maintenance, and other issues related to election security.

Help America Vote Act State Expenditures

The federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was enacted in 2002 (Public Law 107-252) to make changes to the nation’s voting process. HAVA addresses improvements to voting systems and voter access identified as needed following the 2000 election. Download the PDF of this memo here.

Kansas Open Records Act and Fees for Service

Matthew WillisSenior Research AnalystMatthew.Willis@klrd.ks.gov785-296-4443 Jennifer LightFiscal AnalystJennifer.Light@klrd.ks.gov785-296-4410 Purpose The Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) states it is the public policy of Kansas that all “public records shall be open for inspection by any person unless otherwise provided” (KSA 45-216). Who is Covered by KORA? KORA applies to all entities deemed to be “public agencies” (KSAContinue reading “Kansas Open Records Act and Fees for Service”

Mail Ballot Return Deadlines

Elaina RudderResearch AnalystElaina.Rudder@klrd.ks.gov785-296-4395 Jill ShelleyPrincipal Research AnalystJill.Shelley@klrd.ks.gov785-296-8085 According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), all states offer some option for voting outside of a polling place through absentee, advance, or mail ballots (terminology varies by state). The deadline for receipt of these ballots by election officials varies by state, from the day beforeContinue reading “Mail Ballot Return Deadlines”

State Campaign Finance Disclosures

Elaina RudderResearch AnalystElaina.Rudder@klrd.ks.gov785-296-4395 Jillian BlockResearch AnalystJillian.Block@klrd.ks.gov785-296-4420 Campaign finance disclosure laws vary by state, but most states have two general requirements for candidates for office, political committees, and other entities that primarily work to elect or defeat candidate. They must: One purpose of disclosure laws is to provide transparency during the elections process by publishing theContinue reading “State Campaign Finance Disclosures”