Controversial advance voting bill to become new law in Kansas after veto override
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Lawmakers in Kansas have defeated a veto decision made by Governor Laura Kelly this week, pushing a hotly debated advance mail bill to become a new law in Kansas.
Lawmakers in the Kansas House and Senate voted Tuesday, March 25 to override Kelly's veto decision regarding Senate Bill 4. The House voted 84-41 while the Senate voted 30-10, defeating the veto and pushing Senate Bill 4 to become a new law despite Kelly's disapproval of the legislation.
Senate Bill 4 requires the return of advance voting ballots by 7 p.m. on the day of the election, according to its short title. Kelly vetoed the bill on Monday, March 24, explaining she found issue with the bill due to it allegedly disenfranchising "thousands of Kansas voters."
"Governor Kelly's misguided veto was a slight to voter confidence, but that was corrected with today's override of Senate Bill 4. Kansas voters - whether in rural communities or urban centers - deserve an election system that is transparent, fair, and trusted. This override reflects House Republicans' commitment to ensuring all Kansas' votes will be counted."
Joint statement by Representative Chris Croft, Representative Dan Hawkins and Representative Blake Carpenter.
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