I’ve come to accept that every year Kansas legislators will debate four topics — abortion, the expansion of Medicaid, gun violence, and voting rights — no matter what else is going on in the world.
This week, it’s voting rights. 
On Wednesday, Senate lawmakers passed a bill making it more difficult to not only vote but also to hold elections.
The bill makes it a felony crime for anyone to deliver more than five absentee ballots on the behalf of others, reduces the number of days advanced ballots can be accepted and forbids election officers from seeking grants to help with Election Day expenses.
Legislators gave no proof that these changes are needed. In fact, they and county clerks — the people who run the elections — have attested the 2020 election went off without a hitch. And that’s during a pandemic.
Even so, conservative Republicans are cloaking themselves in the lie that rampant voter fraud robbed Donald Trump of re-election and as such drastic changes are needed.
“In a time when many have lost faith in the election process due to a stolen presidential election, we must fight back,” said Rep. Tatum Lee-Hahn, Republican from Ness City, in a recent hearing.
Other features of the Senate bill include the certified signatures of both the voter and the volunteer helping see their ballots are delivered to ensure no theft is involved.
The bill also prevents county clerks from soliciting grants to help stretch their Election Day dollars. In the 2020 election, 24 counties across Kansas received grants from civic-minded non-profits — all with the approval of their county commissioners. Many county clerks use the funds to help pay for recruiting and training of Election Day workers. In Harvey County, officials used such a grant to purchase election equipment, saving taxpayers $45,000.
Lawmakers say eliminating these funds helps promote the integrity of the election.
The Senate’s measure also reduces the number of days voters have to mail in their absentee ballots. The current law says they must be postmarked by 7 p.m. Election Day. The new law would require ballots be received no later than Election Day.
Had that been the case for the 2020 Election, 32,000 ballots would not have been counted.
Legislators are also considering shortening the window for absentee voting, which currently begins 20 days before Election Day.
TYPICALLY, Americans are apathetic voters, hovering around 55% of those eligible. In 2020, however, we had a banner turnout, with almost two-thirds showing up.
Making the process more cumbersome and less accessible, will only turn voters away.
Cynics say that’s what Republicans want, they are so confident their base will vote no matter what.
My hope is that Republicans will refute that narrative. We’ll soon see.
