Hearing held on bill directing election-law constitutional challenges to Shawnee County

The Committee on Elections held a hearing on House Bill 2569, which would require that constitutional challenges to state election laws be brought in the district court of Shawnee County (Third Judicial District) and provide for transfer if a challenge were filed elsewhere.

Clay Barker, general counsel for the Kansas Secretary of State, testified in support, saying the provision—suggested by state litigation counsel—would limit forum shopping, promote uniformity and efficiency, and reduce the risk of conflicting injunctions in multiple districts during election periods. Barker noted the Third Judicial District has 15 judges and said that concentration could help develop judicial expertise in election matters. He acknowledged that some other states (Kentucky and Illinois were referenced) have specified venues for certain constitutional actions but declined to claim a nationwide pattern.

Christian Adams, president and general counsel of the Public Interest Legal Foundation (appearing remotely), compared the proposal to federal preclearance mechanisms that centralized Voting Rights Act litigation in Washington, D.C., and argued Kansas has been the target of a well-funded litigation campaign that has produced repeated forum shopping. Adams said centralized venue would reassure voters and promote consistent decisions.

Committee members raised concerns about access to courts for Kansans who live far from Topeka, whether the change would be based on perception rather than concrete data, and asked for historical case data. Barker and Adams said they would provide lists and spreadsheets of prior litigation for committee review. No opponents presented oral testimony though the chair noted written opponent statements from groups including Loudlight and Appleseed were on file. The hearing was closed with no committee vote recorded on HB2569 at this session.