SESSION OF 2024
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2616
As Amended by House Committee on Elections

Brief*
HB 2616, as amended, would prohibit the Secretary of
State or a county election officer from disqualifying a U.S.
citizen from serving as a poll worker at any election on the
basis of residency or registered voter status if the individual
is:
● An active military member;
● An active military member’s spouse or other
dependent; or
● A full-time student at any public or private
postsecondary educational institution in Kansas.
The bill would specify its provisions could not be
construed to limit or otherwise restrict any poll worker
qualifications based on the age of the individual.
For these purposes, the bill would define “active military
member” as any person with full-time duty status in the U.S.
Armed Forces, including members of the National Guard and
Reserve. The bill would define “postsecondary educational
institution” as in the Kansas Higher Education Coordination
Act: any public or municipal university or any community or
technical college.


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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
http://www.kslegislature.org
Background
The bill was introduced by the House Committee on
Elections at the request of a private citizen.

House Committee on Elections
In the House Committee hearing, a private citizen
provided proponent testimony, noting needs for additional
poll workers, stated the bill would offer military family
members to contribute to their local communities even if
registered to vote elsewhere and would offer postsecondary
students an opportunity for civic engagement. Written-only
proponent testimony was provided by three private citizens.
A representative of the Office of the Secretary of State
provided neutral written-only testimony, which included clarity
concerns regarding issues of citizenship and political
affiliation.
The House Committee amended the bill to require U.S.
citizenship for military-related or postsecondary students
serving as poll workers.

Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, as introduced, the Secretary of State
indicates enactment of the bill would not have a fiscal effect
on agency operations, and the Kansas Association of
Counties indicates its enactment would not have a fiscal
effect on the counties.
Poll worker; election; military; postsecondary student; Secretary of State


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