SESSION OF 2024
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2504
As Amended by House Committee on Elections

Brief*
HB 2504, as amended, would require that paper ballots
be used for the purposes of conducting post-election audits
and prohibit the use of corresponding ballot images. The bill
would also require a physical random method to be used in
the random selection of precincts and offices involved in post-
election audits.

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, written-only proponent
testimony was provided by five private citizens.
Neutral testimony was provided by representatives of
the Kansas County Clerks and Election Officials Association,
Loud Light Civic Action, and Office of the Secretary of State.
The representatives discussed concerns about the impact on
county resources needed for conducting post-election audits
using paper ballots.
No other testimony was provided.

____________________
*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
http://www.kslegislature.org
 The House Committee amended the bill to require the
random selection of precincts and offices involved in a post-
election audit to use a physical random method. Continuing
law does not require a specific method for random selection.

Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, as introduced, the Office of the
Secretary of State indicates it would use existing resources to
provide and update manuals for county election officials;
update the agency’s website; update public documents and
information; and work with media, political parties,
candidates, and the public to ensure knowledge of the
change to election audits contained in the bill. Any fiscal
effect associated with the bill is not reflected in The FY 2025
Governor’s Budget Report.
The Kansas Association of Counties indicates that using
a paper process instead of the current automated process for
auditing ballots would require more staff time and resources
in the county election offices across the state but is unable to
estimate the effect.
Elections; election audits; paper ballots


2- 2504


Statutes affected:
As introduced: 25-3009
As Amended by House Committee: 25-3009