## Role

John Toplikar, a Republican state representative from Shawnee representing Kansas House District 20, sponsored House Bill 2332 in 2021, which prohibits modification of election laws except through the legislative process, requires county election officials to maintain both residential and mailing addresses for voters, mandates disclosure for third-party voter registration organizations, and expands election tampering crimes. The bill was vetoed by Democratic Governor Laura Kelly but the Republican-controlled legislature overrode the veto, making Kansas one of the states where voting restrictions successfully became law in 2021.

## Background

Toplikar sponsored HB 2332 as part of a coordinated Kansas Republican election restriction package that included HB 2183 (prohibiting private election funding and restricting ballot assistance). Both bills were passed by the Republican legislature, vetoed by Governor Kelly, and had their vetoes overridden in May 2021. Kansas Republicans had supermajorities in both chambers (28-12 in Senate, 86-37 in House), giving them veto override power that Republican legislatures in other states (Wisconsin, North Carolina, Pennsylvania) lacked.

## Documented Actions

### 1. HB 2332 – Prohibiting Election Law Changes Except Via Legislature (2021)

Evidence: Toplikar sponsored HB 2332, which included several significant provisions:

– Prohibited modification of election laws except through the legislative process, preventing executive branch officials (Secretary of State, Governor, county election officials) from adapting election procedures even in emergencies

– Required county election officials to maintain both residential and mailing addresses for all registered voters, creating potential registration complications for voters with nontraditional addresses or those using P.O. boxes

– Mandated disclosure requirements for third-party organizations soliciting advance ballot applications, creating regulatory burdens on voter registration drives

– Expanded election tampering crimes, potentially chilling legitimate election-related activities

The bill’s prohibition on executive branch modifications was particularly significant during COVID-19, when election officials nationwide needed flexibility to adjust procedures (extended deadlines, modified drop box procedures, safety protocols) to ensure safe voting. Kansas’s rigid legislative-only requirement prevented such adaptations without passing new legislation—a slow process potentially unable to respond to rapidly changing circumstances.

Governor Kelly vetoed the bill, but the Republican legislature overrode her veto with votes of 86-37 in the House and 28-12 in the Senate, making the bill law.

Sources: Kansas Legislature, HB 2332 (2021-2022 Regular Session) conference committee report; Kansas Reflector, May 3, 2021; LegiScan HB 2332 tracking

Pattern: Prohibition on executive election modifications; successful veto override; enacted into law; targeting executive flexibility during emergencies; dual address requirements creating registration barriers

### 2. Coordinated Kansas Package with HB 2183

Evidence: HB 2332 was part of a two-bill Kansas Republican election restriction package:

– HB 2332 (Toplikar): Prohibited election law modifications except via legislature; dual address requirements; third-party disclosure

– HB 2183: Prohibited private election funding (“Zuckerberg grants”); limited ballot assistance to 10 ballots per person (11th ballot = misdemeanor); restricted candidate assistance to immediate family only

Both bills passed the Kansas Legislature with strong Republican majorities, were vetoed by Governor Kelly, and had their vetoes overridden in May 2021. The coordinated package targeted different aspects of election administration simultaneously: executive flexibility (HB 2332) and funding/assistance (HB 2183).

Republicans argued the measures were necessary for “fair, safe and transparent elections,” citing concerns about private funding and executive overreach. Critics countered that the bills were designed to suppress voting access, particularly for elderly and disabled Kansans who rely on ballot assistance programs, and to prevent election officials from responding flexibly to emergencies like COVID-19.

The successful veto overrides demonstrated that Kansas Republicans had the supermajority strength to enact voting restrictions over Democratic opposition—a structural advantage Republicans in other states lacked.

Sources: Kansas Reflector, May 3, 2021; Kansas City Star, May 3, 2021; Kansas Legislature HB 2183 enrolled bill

Pattern: Two-bill coordinated package; successful veto overrides on both bills; supermajority Republican control; targeting multiple election administration aspects; restrictions on elderly/disabled voter assistance

### 3. Successful Enactment Despite Governor’s Opposition

Evidence: Unlike voting restriction efforts in Wisconsin, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and other states where Democratic governors successfully vetoed Republican bills, Kansas Republicans had the supermajority strength to override Governor Kelly’s vetoes. The Kansas Senate voted 28-12 and House voted 86-37 to override on HB 2332, comfortably exceeding the two-thirds threshold needed.

This structural advantage meant Kansas joined Montana, Georgia, Texas, Florida, and other Republican trifecta states in successfully enacting voting restrictions in 2021. The override votes followed party lines, with no Democrats supporting the overrides and Republicans nearly unanimous in favor.

Governor Kelly characterized the bills as voter suppression, stating they created unnecessary barriers and solved problems that didn’t exist. Voting rights organizations agreed, arguing Kansas’s existing election system was secure and well-functioning, with no demonstrated need for the restrictions. However, the supermajority override power meant these objections could not prevent enactment.

The successful enactment created immediate legal effect: county election officials had to implement dual address tracking, third-party organizations faced new disclosure requirements, and executive branch election officials lost flexibility to adapt procedures without new legislation.

Sources: Kansas Reflector veto override reporting; Kansas City Star analysis; Kansas Statutes as amended by HB 2332

Pattern: Republican supermajority enabling enactment; party-line override votes; Democratic governor unable to stop restrictions; immediate implementation; legal effect despite opposition