By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Rep. Ken Rahjes, R-Agra, 110th district., was in Hays Thursday to discuss his campaign for Kansas Secretary of State.
The Fort Hays State University College Republicans hosted Rahjes, who said he is on a statewide effort to speak directly with voters about the security of local elections.
Rahjes' current Kansas House district includes parts of Ellis County.
"I believe I'm most effective by looking you in the eye and having a conversation," Rahjes said.
Rahjes said he is running to strengthen election security further, and that the Secretary of State must work closely with county clerks to achieve that and maintain strict voter ID procedures.
Earlier this year, the Kansas Legislature voted to eliminate the three-day grace period for mail ballots. Beginning in 2026, all ballots must be returned by 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Rahjes said he supports ending the grace period, arguing it is not voter suppression and that voters must take responsibility for returning ballots on time. He said early voting already provides plenty of time.
"You can give people the opportunity, but you cannot compel them to do anything," he said.
Rahjes said election education should start as early as grade school to help young people understand the importance of voting, especially in local races, and that the Secretary of State should personally visit schools to teach it.
Rahjes said supporting Kansas businesses is a top priority and described the Secretary of State’s office as the “front door” for anyone seeking to operate in the state.
"It wasn't that many years ago that the ideal place to do business was Kansas. I want to get back to that," he said. "We throw out that 'make America great again' and 'make Kansas great again' slogans, I guess mine would be let's make Kansas business-friendly again."
Rahjes said he wants to support entrepreneurs by simplifying the business startup process so they don’t have to navigate multiple agencies. He connects business growth to lowering property taxes.
"There's no greater solution than to grow our tax base. I firmly believe that if you grow the base, then you will lower the rate. We can do that," he said.
Rahjes also said he wants the office to conduct a more thorough review of final rules and regulations to ensure they accurately reflect lawmakers’ intent.
"I believe that's what I bring as a long-term legislator, getting [secretary of state] employees to make sure we're following legislative intent," Rahjes said. "If it's not right, it goes back to the Legislature to fix it."