Kansas committee hears bill to ease labeling and formatting rules for third‑party mailers seeking advance‑ballot applications

The Kansas Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs held a hearing in Topeka on Senate Bill 231, which would adjust requirements for entities that mail solicitations asking registered voters to submit applications for advance voting (mail) ballots.

The bill would: allow the sender’s identifying information to appear on a label or a single page of the mailing rather than on the exterior and every page; reduce the required type size for that information from 14‑point to 10‑point; remove the requirement that the sender list the organization’s president, CEO or executive director (keeping the organization name and address); permit preprinting only the date of the election on the application; and replace the current mandate to include a preaddressed envelope with a requirement that the mailing provide instructions on how to return the application to the appropriate county election office. Supporters said the changes would take…