Kansas
Laura Kelly vetoes two election bills, tells Kansas lawmakers to ‘focus on real issues’
Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly on Friday vetoed two election-related bills passed by the Republican-led Legislature.
Kelly vetoed House Bill 2614 and House Bill 2618.
“Restrictive voting legislation of any kind is wrong,” Kelly said in a veto message. “Instead of making it more challenging for Kansans to participate in our democracy or focusing on problems that do not exist, I would urge the legislature to focus on real issues impacting Kansans.”
House Speaker Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, views it differently.
“We can never rest on our laurels when it comes to the security of Kansas elections,” Hawkins said in a statement. “These common-sense pieces of legislation simply shore up current election laws and ensure the federal government isn’t putting its thumb unfairly on the scale in either direction.”
HB 2614 makes changes to advance voting, adding additional requirements for someone who delivers another voter’s ballot for them. The provisions would make it easier to enforce the state’s relatively new law banning anyone from delivering more than 10 advance ballots.
Supporters of the bill consider such activity to be ballot harvesting, while opponents say it helps certain voters participate in elections, such as those in nursing homes.
“This bill is an attempt to disenfranchise Kansas voters by enacting burdensome and unnecessary requirements that are designed to restrict and suppress advanced voting,” Kelly said. “Kansans have a right to participate in our democracy, but time and again some politicians have tried to interfere in the voting process. I will continue to oppose efforts that place obstacles between voters casting their ballots and making their voices heard.”
HB 2618 would also amend a relatively new state law that is being challenged in court. Republicans believe the change would decrease the chances the law is struck down as unconstitutional. That law criminalizes impersonation of an election official, which civic groups allege effectively criminalizes their voter registration activities.
“There is no evidence of widespread voter fraud or instances of individuals impersonating election officials in Kansas,” Kelly said.
The bill would also ban election offices from using any federal funding for election-related activities, like voter registration, without express permission in both state and federal law.
“Additionally, there is no reason to potentially restrict the use of federal funds for election purposes,” Kelly said. “Kansas is already one of the lowest-ranking states for use of utilizing federal funding. Accepting these dollars helps Kansas ensure smooth administration of our elections.”
HB 2614 didn’t have veto-proof majorities in both chambers. Neither did HB 2618, but it would have supermajorities if previously absent Republicans show up for an override attempt and vote with their caucus.
Hawkins indicated that override attempts will happen.
“House Republicans will continue fighting to keep our elections secure and ensure voter confidence,” he said.
Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jalatidd@gannett.com. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – As excessive winds whipped through the metro Monday evening, thousands of people lost power.
According to an Evergy outage map, just over 6,000 customers in the Kansas City metro area were impacted by a loss of power as of 8:30 p.m. Monday.
The loss in power came as several counties on both sides of the state line dealt with high wind warnings.
Across Kansas, more than 10,000 total customers were impacted, according to Evergy’s outage map.
This is a developing story and will be updated as it continues.
Copyright 2024 KCTV. All rights reserved.
PROVO, Utah – BYU football suffered its first loss of the 2024 season over the weekend to the Kansas Jayhawks.
In their first visit to Provo, the Jayhawks won 17-13 to keep their bowl game hopes alive as they improved to a 4-6 record overall.
BYU football had four trips to the red zones, resulting in zero touchdowns and only six points.
Kansas CB Cobee Bryant trolled BYU football and their No. 6 ranking
After the game at LaVell Edwards Stadium, Kansas star cornerback Cobee Bryant turned to TikTok to share his thoughts on BYU with his 112,100 followers.
He posted a dance video to the song “Clock Dat” by FendiDa Rappa with the caption, “No way they was #6 in da country.”
Note: The video contains song lyrics that may not be suitable for all audiences; watch at your own discretion.
@cobeebryant2 theres no way bro😂 #fyp #viral #BTA #humbled ♬ Clock Dat (feat. Shamar Marco) – FendiDa Rappa & Shamar Marco
Bryant’s commentary was a common thread in the national narrative after BYU’s first trip up of the year.
Bryant finished the game with three tackles in the win. The senior cornerback is one of the top defensive backs in the Big 12.
Last year against BYU in Lawrence, Bryant had a forced fumble that he scooped and scored, plus an interception. He finishes his college career against BYU with a 2-0 record.
BYU will look to get back in the win column this week when it travels to Tempe to face nationally-ranked Arizona State. Bryant and Kansas welcome red-hot Colorado to Lawrence.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.
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After Arizona State’s win at Kansas State on Saturday, the Sun Devils found themselves ranked for the first time since 2021.
In Kenny Dillingham’s second year at the helm, ASU will be back in a bowl game for the first time since their Las Vegas Bowl loss three years ago.
Even though all but two of the former Pac-12 schools left the conference, current and former Pac-12 football teams will still be part of the existing bowl selection process for the 2024 and 2025 football seasons.
As Week 13 gets underway and with a showdown against BYU set for the Sun Devils on Saturday, here is where the Sun Devils are projected to end up during bowl season.
Predictions: What bowl game can Arizona State get invited to in 2024?
In a quick survey of five bowl predictions refreshed since Saturday, the Holiday Bowl was picked as a landing spot three times with the less illustrious Las Vegas Bowl matching with the Sun Devils twice.
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach: DirecTV Holiday Bowl vs. SMU — Snapdragon Stadium on Dec. 27 at 6 p.m. MST on Fox.
ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura: SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl vs. Missouri– Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 27 at 8:30 p.m. MST on ESPN.
The Action Network’s Brett McMurphy: DirecTV Holiday Bowl vs. Clemson — Snapdragon Stadium on Dec. 27 at 6 p.m. MST on Fox.
CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm: SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl vs. Florida – Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 27 at 8:30 p.m. MST on ESPN.
247 Sports’ Brad Crawford: DirecTV Holiday Bowl vs. Clemson — Snapdragon Stadium on Dec. 27 at 6 p.m. MST on Fox.
What’s left on Arizona State’s football schedule?
Arizona State sits at 8-2 with two games left this season.
The Sun Devils host No. 14 BYU on Saturday before closing the season in Tucson for the Territorial Cup against Arizona on Nov. 30.
ASU and BYU will kick off at 1:30 p.m. MST on Nov. 23. Listen to play-by-play coverage on 98.7 FM, the Arizona Sports app and ArizonaSports.com.
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