Pat Proctor Will Run for Kansas Secretary of State
The Kansas House member will compete in the November 3, 2026 general election for the statewide office.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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State Representative Pat Proctor will face Jennifer Day in the November 3, 2026 general election for Kansas Secretary of State. The winner of this contest will succeed the current Secretary of State, Scott Schwab.
Why it matters
Proctor states that he seeks to restore public confidence in election results by focusing on ballot security. His platform emphasizes requirements like signature verification and limiting third-party ballot delivery.
The Kansas Legislature approved a law in 2025 to end the three-day mail ballot grace period, though the policy is currently subject to a temporary judicial stay. This measure seeks to change how the state handles ballots arriving after Election Day.
The players
Pat Proctor
He is a Kansas state representative for the 41st District and the current chairman of the House Elections Committee.
Jennifer Day
She is the opposing candidate running against Pat Proctor for the office of Kansas Secretary of State.
Scott Schwab
He is the current Kansas Secretary of State who will be succeeded by the winner of the 2026 election.
Laura Kelly
She is the Governor of Kansas who previously vetoed legislation aimed at eliminating the mail ballot grace period.
The details
Proctor, a U.S. Army veteran of 25 years, has served in the Kansas Legislature since 2021 and currently chairs the House Elections Committee. He has been a vocal advocate for stricter election administration policies throughout his time in the House.
Timeline
Pat Proctor began his service in the Kansas Legislature in 2021.
Lawmakers approved ending the mail ballot grace period in 2025.
The general election for Kansas Secretary of State is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Political Context
The ongoing legal battle over the state's mail ballot grace period reflects a broader push by Republican lawmakers to tighten election procedures. This effort faces consistent opposition from Democratic officials and civil rights groups who argue such changes could disenfranchise valid voters.
Changes to the mail ballot grace period could impact how and when voters must return their ballots in future Kansas elections. Citizens should monitor ongoing court decisions to understand current ballot delivery requirements ahead of the 2026 election cycle.
The takeaway
The upcoming race for Secretary of State will serve as a referendum on recent legislative efforts to tighten election security. Voters should prepare for potential changes to ballot processing rules as these legal challenges continue to move through the courts.
Further reading
For more information on state ballot laws, visit the Kansas Legislative Policy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Hays Post.
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