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Minutes for SB445 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Prohibiting the use of additional ballot boxes for the return of advance voting ballots.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 17, 2022
The Chairman opened the hearing and called for Jason Long for a revisor overview of the bill.
The Chairman called for testimony on the bill.
Proponent Stewart Whitson recognized that while drop boxes can add a level of convenience for some voters they can also add elements that can lead to problems that can undermine the integrity of elections and erode confidence in the electoral outcomes. (Attachment 2)
Written-Only Proponent
Jill O'Connor, Kansas Citizen (Attachment 3)
Stephen Snitz, Kansas Citizen (Attachment 4)
Opponent Michael Poppa asserted that ballot lock boxes are safe, secure and useful to those who struggle to use other venues. (Attachment 5)
Opponent Davis Hammet expressed confusion about the origination of the bill and explained why ballot lock boxes contain only ballots have been verified. (Attachment 6)
Opponent Rabbi Moti Rieber claimed that the 2020 elections were a success and explained the role that ballot lock boxes played in that process. (Attachment 7)
Opponent Caleb Smith questioned whether the elimination of ballot lock boxes would make voting more secure. (Attachment 8)
Opponent Aileen Berquist explained why she opined that the use of ballot lock boxes are very secure. (Attachment 9)
Opponent Cille King described the features of the ballot lock box that insure safety and security of the voting. (Attachment 10)
Opponent Clay Barker discussed some unintended consequences to the language of the bill. Mr. Barker pointed out the reasons that ballot boxes were originated. Mr. Barker indicated that while Kansas statute does not authorize the use of ballot lock boxes, but requested the direct authority to regulate them. (Attachment 11)
Written-Only Opponent:
Nikki McDonald, Kansas Citizen (Attachment 12)
Tad Kramar, Kansas Citizen (Attachment 13)
Alice Capson, Kansas Citizen (Attachment 14)
Amy Volker, Kansas Citizen (Attachment 15)
Kate Kemper, Kansas Citizen (Attachment 16)
Colleen Connor, Kansas Citizen (Attachment 17)
Randy Warner, Kansas Citizen (Attachment 18)
Hannah Mingucci, Kansas Citizen (Attachment 19)
Stacy Knoell, Kansas Citizen (Attachment 20)
Donovon Dillion, Kansas Citizen (Attachment 21)
Lauren Tice Miller, KNEA (Attachment 22)
Mike Burgess, Disability Rights Center (Attachment 23)
Discussion ensued regarding the ballot lock boxes.
Seeing no additional testimony the Chairman closed the hearing on the bill.
