SESSION OF 2025
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2022
As Amended by Senate Committee on Federal
and State Affairs
Brief*
HB 2022, as amended, would amend the definition of
“special election” in election law to mean any election held on
the Tuesday following the first Monday in April of any year or
on the same day as a general or primary election. The bill
would also make conforming amendments to other provisions
of election law concerning special elections.
[Note: Current law states a special election shall not be
held within 45 days of a general or primary election.]
Background
The bill was introduced by the House Committee on
Elections at the request of Representative Waggoner.
House Committee on Elections
In the House Committee hearing, the Deputy Secretary
of State presented proponent testimony, stating that the bill
would clarify the intent of the 45-day provision, which the
Deputy Secretary stated was always meant to be before or
after an election to ensure a county election officer is not
faced with a conflict between state and federal law regarding
the time registration books may be closed.
No other testimony was provided.
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*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
https://klrd.gov/ The House Committee recommended the bill be placed
on the Consent Calendar.
Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs
In the Senate Committee hearing, the Deputy Secretary
of State and the Sedgwick County Election Commissioner
provided proponent testimony. The Deputy Secretary stated
the bill would clarify the intent of the 45-day provision. The
Sedgwick County Election Commissioner stated Sedgwick
County had four special elections in 2024 and asked that
special elections be limited to three specific dates throughout
year—the first Tuesday in March or April, the primary election,
and the general election—to help with costs of special
elections, reduce voter confusion, and increase voter turnout.
Neutral testimony was provided by a representative of
the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB), who noted
that the bill, as introduced, would not have a negative impact
on school district special elections, but KASB would oppose
any amendment that would specify an arbitrary date because
school districts should have the flexibility to schedule special
elections to maximize their effectiveness.
No other testimony was provided.
The Senate Committee amended the bill to change the
definition of “special election” to mean any election held on
the Tuesday following the first Monday in April of any year or
on the same day as a general or primary election and make
conforming amendments throughout the election statutes.
Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, as introduced, the Secretary of State
indicates it would use existing resources to update training
materials for local election officials and update educational
2- 2022 and promotional materials for the voting public regarding the
provisions of the bill. Any fiscal effect associated with
enactment of the bill is not reflected in The FY 2026
Governor’s Budget Report.
The Kansas Association of Counties indicates
enactment of the bill could have a fiscal effect on counties if
there is an increase in special elections but is unable to
estimate the fiscal effect.
Special election; elections
3- 2022