Kansas HB2659: Requiring that all election audits and recounts be conducted using a hand count of paper ballots

What the bill says

An act concerning elections; relating to audits and recounts; requiring that audits and recounts be conducted using a hand count of paper ballots; amending K.S.A. 25-4413 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 25-2912, 253009 and 25-3107 and repealing the existing sections.

From the introduced text, February 3, 2026:

AN ACT concerning elections; relating to audits and recounts; requiring that audits and recounts be conducted using a hand count of paper ballots; amending K.S.A. 25-4413 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 25-2912, 253009 and 25-3107 and repealing the existing sections. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas: Section 1. K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 25-2912 is hereby amended to read as follows: 25-2912. (a) (1) (A) All voting systems used for elections in this state held on or after January 1, 2024, shall require the use of an individual, durable, voter-verified paper ballot with a distinctive watermark established by the secretary of state. The voter's ballot shall be: (i) Marked by the voter, or by a person assisting the voter as otherwise permitted by law, either by hand or by use of a voting machine that is a non-tabulating paper ballot marking or printing device or system that may be electromechanical or electronic; (ii) made available to the voter for inspection and verification by the voter after the voter has marked the ballot but before the voter's vote is cast and counted, that may be spoiled by the voter if it fails to reflect the voter's choices and that permits the voter to cast a new paper ballot; and (iii) canvassed by hand or read and tabulated by vote-tabulating …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Samantha Poetter Parshall, Samantha (I) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. April 10, 2026: Died in Committee
2. February 3, 2026: Referred to House Committee on Elections
3. February 3, 2026: Introduced

Common questions

What is HB2659?

HB2659 is a bill in the Kansas Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): Requiring that all election audits and recounts be conducted using a hand count of paper ballots.

What does HB2659 do?

In its own words: An act concerning elections; relating to audits and recounts; requiring that audits and recounts be conducted using a hand count of paper ballots; amending K.S.A. 25-4413 and K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 25-2912, 253009 and 25-3107 and repealing the existing sections.

What is the status of HB2659?

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

Who sponsored HB2659?

Samantha Poetter Parshall, Samantha (I).

Where is the official record for HB2659?

On the Kansas Legislature website: https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2659/