Kansas Voters to Decide Citizenship Voting Amendment
The proposed constitutional amendment will appear on the November 2026 ballot to clarify eligibility requirements.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Elections
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Should states update their constitutions to explicitly specify that only citizens may vote?
In November 2026, Kansas voters will decide on a constitutional amendment to explicitly mandate that only citizens may vote in state elections. The ballot measure, initiated through House Concurrent Resolution 5004, seeks to change current eligibility language from every citizen to only citizens.
Why it matters
Supporters argue the amendment closes potential loopholes for noncitizen voting, while opponents contend the measure is redundant because state law already restricts voting to U.S. citizens.
The amendment passed the Kansas House with 90 votes in favor and 29 opposed, following a Senate vote of 37 to 3. Sixteen other states have already modified their constitutions to specify citizen-only voting.
The players
Pat Proctor
Pat Proctor is a state political candidate who has publicly advocated for the constitutional amendment.
Scott Schwab
Scott Schwab is the outgoing secretary of state who failed to secure the gubernatorial nomination.
The details
Although no Kansas city currently permits noncitizens to participate in local elections, the measure aims to permanently codify citizenship requirements in the state constitution. This follows a long legal history, including the 2018 federal court ruling that struck down a previous Kansas law requiring documentary proof of citizenship.
Timeline
2013: Kansas documentary proof of citizenship law went into effect.
2018: Final federal court ruling struck down citizenship proof law.
2025: House Concurrent Resolution 5004 passed the legislature.
September 2026: Pat Proctor held a press conference for the amendment.
November 2026: Kansas voters decide on the amendment and state election.
Political Context
Critics of the amendment highlight the 2018 federal court ruling that struck down the Kansas documentary proof of citizenship law as evidence that current legal safeguards are already sufficient. Opposition groups argue that the proposed constitutional change is a redundant measure that ignores existing state statutes.
The passage of this amendment would permanently codify citizenship requirements in the state constitution, potentially limiting future municipal authority to expand voter eligibility. Taxpayers should note that the election will also determine the next secretary of state, who will oversee the implementation of these voting regulations.
The takeaway
Voters will ultimately determine if the state constitution should be altered to address voting eligibility concerns. Understanding the specific language of the amendment is essential for voters to evaluate its potential impact on local and state election processes.
What happens next
Kansas voters will head to the polls to decide on the constitutional amendment and the secretary of state race in November 2026.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming ballot measures, visit the Kansas Elections section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Salina Journal.
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Should states update their constitutions to explicitly specify that only citizens may vote?
