Kansas Legislature Plans To Move Local Elections

Kansas legislators have agreed to move local elections to the fall in odd-numbered years.

Representatives from the Senate and House came to a compromise Monday after each chamber passed different versions of the same elections reform bill earlier in the session.

Republican Rep. Mark Kahrs of Wichita says the move would boost turnout to between 30 percent and 40 percent – more than double the turnout in most recent local elections. The bill also would bar general election candidates from dropping out of the race unless experiencing "severe medical hardship."

Presidential primaries in the state also would be canceled under the bill.

The compromise would become law once it is approved by both full chambers and signed by the governor.