A proposed law would remove the option for extending the deadline to receive advance ballots in Kansas. Right now, ballots must be postmarked by election day in Kansas. But, they are only counted if they arrive at the county election office within three days after the election.
The current law allows the Secretary of State's office to extend that deadline. Lawmakers held a senate committee hearing Thursday for a new bill that would remove that option. Some lawmakers say it's an act of voter suppression. KSN News spoke with Democratic Sen. Mary Ware of Wichita.
"If the post office takes longer than 3 days to get that ballot back, then that voters wishes are not even heard," Said Sen. Ware. "There will be no way, even in an emergency, to extend those 3 days. This bill will eliminate that flexibility."
However; supporters of the bill say three days should be enough time for the advance ballots to come in, making the option for an extension unnecessary. So far no action has been taken on the bill.
