Requiring the secretary of state to revise the information collected from persons registering to vote to ensure that the state may utilize the systematic alien verification of entitlements program (SAVE) to delete non-citizens from voter registration rolls.
Impact
HB2117 is expected to have significant ramifications on state election laws. By incorporating the SAVE program, the state aims to streamline the verification of citizenship during the voter registration process, potentially reducing instances of voter fraud. This change could facilitate a more reliable election process, although it also raises questions regarding the accessibility and efficiency of voter registration for certain populations, particularly given the complexities of verifying citizenship status.
Summary
House Bill 2117, introduced in Kansas, mandates the secretary of state to utilize the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program to check the citizenship status of individuals registering to vote. This newly proposed legislation aims to enhance the integrity of the voter registration process by ensuring that only eligible citizens are allowed to register, thereby updating the state's voter rolls to remove any non-citizens who might be on them. The bill reflects ongoing national conversations concerning voter eligibility and election security.
Contention
The introduction of HB2117 is not without contention. Critics argue that reliance on the SAVE program may lead to unnecessary barriers for eligible voters and could disproportionately affect marginalized communities. Concerns have been raised about the potential for errors in the verification process, which could result in eligible voters being wrongly removed from the registration rolls. Proponents, however, maintain that the bill is a necessary step toward safeguarding electoral integrity and ensuring that the rights of citizens are preserved.
Requiring the secretary of state to enter into agreements with credit rating agencies for the release of certain information that can be used to verify the citizenship of persons registered to vote in this state.
Requiring the secretary of state to periodically review state voter registration rolls to investigate when multiple voters utilize the same residential area address and when there are persons with discrepancies in the spelling of names at that address.