Pat Proctor

A constitutional amendment on Kansas's November general election ballot is a flashpoint in the race to succeed outgoing Secretary of State Scott Schwab. Passed by lawmakers in March 2025, the measure would change the constitution's voting language from "all" U.S. citizens may vote to "only" U.S. citizens may vote in Kansas elections.

Republican candidate Pat Proctor, a state representative who sponsored the amendment, argues it enshrines an important deterrent, noting that four non-citizens have been charged with illegal voting in Kansas according to the Secretary of State's office. Democratic candidate Jennifer Day calls the change redundant and unnecessary, warning it could open the door for the legislature to further restrict voting access later. Both candidates say they support secure elections but differ sharply on whether the amendment is needed.

The amendment and the Secretary of State race will both appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot, making the outcome a test of how Kansas voters view citizenship-based voting restrictions and election administration priorities.

A proposed Kansas constitutional amendment on the November ballot would change election law language to specify that "only" U.S. citizens can vote, replacing current wording stating "all" U.S. citizens can vote. Kansas lawmakers passed legislation in March 2025 to put the measure before voters, and it is now a flashpoint in the state's Secretary of State race.

Republican Rep. Pat Proctor, who introduced the amendment and is running for the office, argues it reinforces existing law and deters illegal voting, noting four noncitizens have been charged with illegal voting in Kansas. Democratic candidate Jennifer Day calls the change redundant and unnecessary, warning it could open the door for the legislature to later restrict voting access. Both candidates say they support secure elections, but differ on whether the amendment is needed given citizenship is already a voting requirement. The amendment and the Secretary of State race will both appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot.

Kansas voters will decide on Nov. 3 whether to amend the state constitution to explicitly bar noncitizens from voting. Critics note noncitizen voting is already illegal and virtually nonexistent in Kansas, arguing the measure is designed as a pretext to enact proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration.

The amendment, backed by state Rep. Pat Proctor, a Republican currently running for Kansas secretary of state, passed with near-unanimous GOP support. Opponents say requiring documents such as a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers would create a costly, time-consuming barrier to voting, since a majority of Kansans lack a passport. Women who have changed their name through marriage or divorce would face additional hurdles, needing to produce marriage licenses or divorce decrees to match records. Opponents argue the measure would disproportionately suppress turnout among low-income, young, elderly, and female voters, pointing to Proctor's past legislative efforts restricting voter registration drives and mail-in voting.