Kansas2026Passed Legislature

HB2023

HB2023: Creating a Crime for Interfering with Election Officials

Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 9:52 AM

In one sentence

This bill creates a new crime that makes it illegal to intimidate, threaten, or coerce an election official to stop them from working or as punishment for their work.

Creates the crime of interfering with an election official by intimidating, threatening, coercing, or attempting these actions verbally, in writing, or through physical acts.
Defines interference as acting with the intent to impede an official's duties or retaliate against them for performing those duties.
Sets the penalty for this act at a severity level 7 nonperson felony.

People who intimidate, threaten, coerce, or attempt these actions against election officials.
County clerks and election commissioners.
Election judges, election clerks, and members of canvassing, audit, or other election boards.
Any person performing official election duties.

This bill died in committee on April 10, 2026, so it did not become active law.
The text does not list specific prison sentences or fine amounts for the felony charge.
It is unclear how this new crime interacts with other existing state laws until a court interprets them.

Plain language

Interference: Intimidating, threatening, coercing, or attempting these actions against an election official to stop them from working or as punishment for their work.
Election Official: A county clerk, election commissioner, judge, clerk, board member, or any person performing official election duties. This does not include poll agents.
Severity Level 7 Nonperson Felony: The specific class of crime and punishment level assigned to this offense in Kansas law.

Official record

Validated

Creating the election crime of interference with an election official.

Official activity