election security

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab and Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, both Republicans, said the partnership would enhance voter roll maintenance by “securely” sharing personal details on 1.87 million registered voters in Kansas and 4.13 million registered voters in Missouri.

Missouri lawmakers in 2022 passed a sweeping elections bill that included a photo ID requirement to vote and limitations on registering voters. Challenges to both provisions were heard at the Missouri Supreme in separate cases.

Republican Scott Schwab, who is also running for governor in 2026, is using a federal database to confirm U.S. citizenship of people registered to vote.

At least four states with Republican election officials have offered public data but not sensitive information — driver’s license and partial Social Security numbers — sought by the U.S. Department of Justice. But they're taking pains not to pick a fight with President Donald Trump.

Two county clerks report being contacted by the DOJ seeking access to election machines made by Dominion Voting Systems, the company at the center of false allegations of vote rigging during the 2020 presidential election.

President Trump recently announced his intent to "lead a movement" to end mail-in ballots and the use of voting machines in states' elections. Both are used extensively in Missouri and Kansas, and election officials weigh in about what those changes would mean.

Legal experts say President Trump lacks the constitutional authority to stop states from offering mail ballots. Both Missouri and Kansas currently allow absentee voting by mail, but Kansas Republican lawmakers recently made it harder by eliminating a three-day grace period.

The SAVE Act could force eligible voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship in order to register and vote. But the lack of resources, potential to disenfranchise applicants and criminal penalties worry some county clerks in Missouri.

Republicans in the Kansas Legislature have eliminated the three-day grace period for mail-in ballots. Starting in 2026, all ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

Newly-elected Sheriff Byron Roberson said just three people were responsible for more than 100 election fraud complaints that prompted the previous sheriff's investigation. No criminal charges were ever filed as a result, but Hayden repeatedly cast suspicions about election procedures.

A Missouri judge threw out a lawsuit from the Missouri NAACP and other groups challenging the state's law requiring a government-issued ID to vote. But the plaintiffs say "the court got the test wrong" and ignored the burden the law places on voters.

Missouri lawmakers passed legislation in 2022 that established a photo ID requirement at the polls. The NAACP and voting rights group had sued, arguing that its intention was to disenfranchise large groups of people.