Ty Masterson on Government Reform

We need pro-growth policies & fewer regulations

Repeal the three day grace period for mail-in ballots

Summary by The Beacon News, March 31, 2025Mail ballots in Kansas used to be eligible even if they arrived after election day. Ballots postmarked on or before election day that arrived three days later could still be counted. Now, ballots must arrive before polls close. Kansas now has one of the shortest turnarounds from when ballots are mailed to people and when they need to be returned.

Veto message, March 24, 2025The three-day grace period for mail ballots was a bipartisan solution approved by the Legislature in 2017 to address delays in processing of mail by the U.S. Postal Service, particularly in rural areas. The goal was to ensure that all Kansans had their votes counted, no matter where they lived.

Legislative Outcome:Vetoed by Gov. Kelly on Mar/24; Senate Veto overridden 30-10-0 on Mar/25; Ty Masterson voted YES; House Veto overridden 84-41-0 on Mar/25/25.

Override veto & keep strict voter ID requirement

Analysis by Center for Public Integrity, 10/6/22: Under threat of prosecution because of Kansas' new election laws, the state's League of Women Voters has stopped organizing voter registration drives. A strict ID requirement--left to local election officials to interpret--prevents some people from voting at the polls.

Veto Message excerpts, WIBW-13 News, 4/23/21: "Although Kansans have cast millions of ballots, there remains no evidence of significant voter fraud in Kansas. This bill is a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. It is designed to disenfranchise Kansans, making it difficult for them to participate in the democratic process, not to stop voter fraud," said Gov. Kelly.

Legislative Outcome:Vetoed by Gov. Kelly on 4/23/21; House Override veto 85-38-2 on 5/3; Senate Override veto 28-12-0 on 5/3; Sen. Masterson voted YES.