Kansas committee hears HCR 5,004 to clarify U.S. citizenship as voting qualification

The Federal and State Affairs Committee held a hearing on HCR 5,004 on Oct. 27, 2025, a proposed amendment to Article V, Section 1 of the Kansas Constitution that would state explicitly that no person shall be deemed a qualified elector unless the person is a citizen of the United States.

Proponents said the change would remove ambiguity and protect the integrity of elections, while opponents and a neutral witness from the secretary of state’s office said court precedent and existing statutes already require U.S. citizenship and cautioned the amendment could create unintended consequences. The House of Representatives previously approved the resolution on final action, 90–28; if the Legislature puts it on the ballot and voters approve it, the measure would appear on the November 2026 general-election ballot.

Representative Pat Proctor, sponsor of HCR 5,004, told the committee he concluded during constituent conversations that explicit constitutional or statutory language is necessary. “U.S. citizenship either…