Kansas House Bill HB2052

Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/18/23
• Refer: 1/18/23
• Failed: 4/30/24

Caption

Requiring correction of voter registration lists when notice is provided by a court that a person is disqualified from jury service due to not being a citizen of the United States.

Impact

The bill's enactment will update several Kansas statutes, namely K.S.A. 43-162 and K.S.A. 2022 Supp. 25-2316c, effectively requiring corrections to voter registration lists whenever a court determines that a person is disqualified from serving on a jury due to their citizenship status. This specific requirement intends to preserve the integrity of voter registration lists while ensuring that only eligible voters are accounted for in election processes.

Summary

House Bill 2052 addresses the issue of voter registration and disqualification from jury service based on U.S. citizenship. It stipulates that public agencies must not release voter registration records to federal courts for jury list preparation unless a formal agreement is in place. This agreement must include mandatory notification to county election offices when an individual is found ineligible for jury service. This measure aims to prevent eligible individuals from being removed from voter registration lists arbitrarily.

Contention

Some notable points of contention may arise surrounding the balance between maintaining accurate voter rolls and safeguarding the rights of individuals whose eligibility might be questioned due to their citizenship status. Critics may argue that this measure could effectively disenfranchise certain voters if automated processes that do not consider individual circumstances are employed. Supporters, on the other hand, may laud the bill as a necessary step towards ensuring compliance with federal standards regarding jury service and citizenship.