NEWTON, Kan. (KWCH) - Kansas lawmakers are considering a change that could impact how special elections, such as school or city bond issues, are held across the state. Kansas Senate Bill 273 proposes that all special elections be scheduled on the first Tuesday in March every year.

County election officials from across Kansas expressed mixed opinions on how the bill could impact rural versus urban areas.

Sumner County Clerk and Election Officer Debbie Norris said she sees potential benefits and drawbacks.

“I can see a real positive in respect that when I have to reserve voting locations, I can tell them all in advance to reserve the building,” Norris said.

But Norris believes adding another election date on top of the general and primary elections could stretch smaller counties too thin.

“For some of the smaller counties, it might be a budget issue because we don’t always have that third election to have to budget for because you’re talking about paying people to work, you’re talking about renting a facility,” said Norris.

In larger counties, however, the bill could address some administrative challenges. Harvey County Clerk and Election Officer Rick Piepho pointed out that counties like Sedgwick, which regularly hold multiple special elections, could benefit from consolidating them into one day.

“Right now, Sedgwick County has three concurrent special elections,” Piepho said. “From an administrative standpoint, it’s like, why can’t all of these be on the same day?”

Despite potential advantages, Piepho questioned whether the proposed solution would work for every county.

“It would be nice to have something for special elections, some limitations, but I’m not sure setting it on a day is the exact way to do it,” said Piepho.

The bill is currently in committee awaiting a hearing.