Kansas SB347: Terminating the secretary of state's authority to appoint election commissioners and transferring the jurisdiction, powers and duties for conducting elections in counties with an election commissioner to the county clerk for such county

What the bill says

An act concerning elections; relating to election commissioners; terminating the secretary of state's authority to appoint election commissioners; transferring the jurisdiction, powers and duties for conducting elections in counties with an election commissioner to the county clerk for such county; amending K.S.A. 19-3419 and repealing the existing section.

From the introduced text, January 20, 2026:

AN ACT concerning elections; relating to election commissioners; terminating the secretary of state's authority to appoint election commissioners; transferring the jurisdiction, powers and duties for conducting elections in counties with an election commissioner to the county clerk for such county; amending K.S.A. 19-3419 and repealing the existing section. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas: Section 1. K.S.A. 19-3419 is hereby amended to read as follows: 193419. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), in counties of this state having a population exceeding 125,000, as certified to the secretary of state by the director of the division of the budget on the previous July 1 in accordance with K.S.A. 11-201, and amendments thereto, or as otherwise determined pursuant to K.S.A. 11-202, and amendments thereto, there shall be an office of commissioner of elections that shall be administered by an election commissioner. The election commissioner shall be appointed by the secretary of state and shall hold office for a term of four years and until a successor is appointed and qualified. The secretary, in consultation with the chairperson of the board of county commissioners for the county where an election commissioner is to be appointed, shall form a search committee to identify, interview and recommend to the secretary at least three candidates for the position of election …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Cindy Holscher, Cindy (I) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. April 10, 2026: Died in Committee
2. January 21, 2026: Referred to Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs
3. January 20, 2026: Introduced

Common questions

What is SB347?

SB347 is a bill in the Kansas Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Terminating the secretary of state's authority to appoint election commissioners and transferring the jurisdiction, powers and duties for conducting elections in counties with an election commissioner to the county clerk for such county.

What does SB347 do?

In its own words: An act concerning elections; relating to election commissioners; terminating the secretary of state's authority to appoint election commissioners; transferring the jurisdiction, powers and duties for conducting elections in counties with an election commissioner to the county clerk for such county; amending K.S.A. 19-3419 and repealing the existing section.

What is the status of SB347?

In committee as of April 10, 2026. Latest action: Died in Committee (April 10, 2026).

Who sponsored SB347?

Cindy Holscher, Cindy (I).

Where is the official record for SB347?

On the Kansas Legislature website: https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/sb347/