Despite GOP rift, Kansas lawmakers target ballot drop boxes

By John Hanna
AP Political Writer

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Conservative Kansas lawmakers are pushing ahead with trying to eliminate most ballot drop boxes in elections. A measure on drop boxes cleared a Senate committee Tuesday, despite a split among top Republicans. The panel voted 5-4 to approve a bill that would limit each of the state’s 105 counties to only one drop box, only inside its election office and only when two people from different political parties are constantly monitoring the box. Counties currently can have as many drop boxes as they want and 167 were in use in last year’s election. Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach backs the bill while GOP Secretary of State Scott Schwab opposes it.