AN UPDATE FROM SECRETARY SCHWAB

February 2024

Dear Kansan,

Thank you for your interest in receiving my monthly newsletter.

It is an honor to serve as your Kansas Secretary of State. If my office can be of any service to you, please do not hesitate to contact me at S cott.Schwab@ks.gov or 785-296-4575.

All my best,

Scott Schwab

Kansas Secretary of State

AMICUS BRIEF FILED WITH U.S. SUPREME COURT

I joined a coalition of fellow Secretaries of State in filing an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to define who can disqualify candidate ballot access under the Fourteenth Amendment.

The amicus brief was filed with the justices ahead of their hearing on whether former President Donald J. Trump can be denied access to the Colorado ballot under the criteria set forth by the Fourteenth Amendment.

The office of Secretary of State should not be politicized nor have the power to unilaterally decide who can or cannot be on the ballot. This unprecedented authority, if granted by the court, would damage the integrity of the office.

Click HERE to read the Press Release.

2024 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

Last month, I announced the Office's 2024 legislative agenda to modernize and streamline the state’s rules and regulations process, eliminate unnecessary business filing requirements, and reduce taxpayer waste by updating publication statutes. These priorities will continue to transform our customer service capabilities by modernizing our processes and cutting costs to improve efficiency and reduce government waste.

Click HERE to read the press release.

AGENCY SOFTWARE SYSTEM IS IMPROVED

AFTER THREE DECADES OF USE

Upon taking office in 2019, one of my top priorities was to modernize and improve the online software system utilized at the Kansas Secretary of State office.

One of the many purposes of the new software is to offer Kansans a more reliable and secure platform to process business filings with the agency.

As of this January, after five years of diligent IT work, I am pleased to announce the fulfillment of this commitment. We have updated our agency's computer systems with a more user-friendly software platform, featuring quicker updates and enhanced security measures for Kansas businesses.

Read about the positive change HERE.

TOPEKA ROTARY CLUB

I spoke to the Topeka Rotary Club about the March 19 Presidential Preference Primary and how it differs from the August primary and November general election. While each of these elections are state run, the presidential primary results are used by the respective state political parties to determine the allocation of delegates to the presidential candidates.

To learn more about the Presidential Preference Primary visit VoteKansas.gov.

EAGLE RADIO HUTCHINSON INTERVIEW

Hutchinson broadcaster Nick Gosnell and I spoke on his radio show about the upcoming elections this year. The first statewide election this year is the Presidential Preference Primary on March 19 and the deadline to register is February 20. I encourage anyone who will be 18 by election day to register to vote.

There are a total of eight candidates who have filed for the Presidential Preference Primary, four Democrats and four Republicans.

Click HERE to view the candidate list for the primary.

VOTING EQUIPMENT INFORMATIONAL SESSION

My office hosted an informational session for legislators regarding election systems used in Kansas. Representatives from four election system vendors were on hand to answer questions and provide information to attendees who wanted to better understand the election machines.

This event was open to media and the public.

TESTIFYING BEFORE SENATE COMMITTEE

ON FEDERAL AND STATE AFFAIRS

I appreciated the invitation to testify before the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs about Kansas' election system. I provided a brief synopsis of the robust election integrity laws that have been in place since 2011, and the collaborative efforts we must continue going forward to ensure that Kansas' election system remains forward-thinking and secure.

Click HERE to read my written testimony.

Click the graphic below to watch my oral testimony.

BIENNIAL FILINGS ARE ACTIVE

A quick reminder about business filing changes. This January marked the start of our new information report filling for businesses. These reports will be filed every two years instead of the previous requirement to file annually. I hope Kansas business owners find value in the upgrade and the reduction of paperwork to process with the government. Say hello to less paperwork and more business time.

KANSAS HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION

ADVOCACY DAY

The Kansas Hospital Association invited me to speak at their Advocacy Day event. I explained the mechanics of the Presidential Preference Primary (PPP) to the audience. Please note that the preference primary will be a closed primary according to the election rules both the Republican and Democratic parties outlined.

This means that voters must be registered with their party by the February 20 deadline to participate in the PPP. However, unaffiliated voters who want to participate in the PPP may choose to affiliate with either party at their polling place on election day.

HAPPY KANSAS DAY

January 29 marked Kansas Day and was the 163rd anniversary since our great state was founded. When I think of Kansas, I marvel at the pioneering spirit our state and the citizens of Kansas embody. From civil war to civil rights, Kansas has been the battleground during some of our nation's critical moments.

I am proud to call Kansas my home. Growing up in central Kansas opened my eyes to the joy of Midwestern life, aside from the unpredictable weather. My favorite part of living in Kansas is the simple approach we have to life: the “Kansas Common Sense” vision. That’s why I love the great state of Kansas, I hope you had a Happy Kansas Day.

NEW K.S.A. SUPPLEMENTS AND VOLUME 2

AND 2A AVAILABLE

The 2023 Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A.) Supplements and updated hardbound Volume 2 and 2a are now available to order!

Supplements are printed on a yearly basis to provided the most current statute changes while volumes are printed on a rotation. The last time the Volume 2 set was printed was in 2007.

See the order form for pricing and availability of all our legal publications. Call and order your copies at 785-296-BOOK (2665).