Kansas lawmakers are already gearing up for the next state election by proposing changes to election laws. During the first week of the 2025 Legislative Session, nearly a dozen bills were filed to modify how elections are conducted and who is eligible to vote. Dr. Russell Arben Fox, a political analyst at Friends University, expressed that many of the proposed bills cover familiar topics, such as making it illegal to interfere with an election officer. Additionally, there is a proposal to ban counting of mail-in ballots received after the polls close on Election Day.
Rep. Pat Proctor emphasized the importance of voter confidence in the electoral process, stating that it is crucial for the results to reflect the will of the voters. His committee is reviewing bills that address citizenship requirements for voting, including one that would involve the Secretary of State’s Office cross-referencing data from the driver’s license office to verify voter eligibility.
Proctor clarified that the proposed citizenship requirements are not the same as the controversial proof-of-citizenship requirement from the past. The focus now is on ensuring that only citizens are voting in Kansas elections. The state Constitution currently does not specify that only citizens are eligible to vote, and there is a proposal to amend it accordingly.
Overall, the surge in election-related bills may be attributed to the Republican supermajority in the state legislature this year. Proctor acknowledged that voter confidence has been shaken in recent years and emphasized the need to restore trust in the electoral process. The proposed changes are aimed at enhancing the security and integrity of Kansas elections.
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