This bill aims to enhance voter registration opportunities for discharged inmates and high school students in Kansas. It mandates the Secretary of State to develop a voter registration program that provides services through specific state agencies, including the Kansas Department for Children and Families, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, and the Department of Labor. Discharged inmates will be offered the chance to register to vote upon their release, and applicants for assistance from these agencies will also be given the opportunity to register. Additionally, the bill requires that voter registration services be made available at all accredited high schools for students aged 18 and older.

The bill amends existing laws, specifically K.S.A. 22-3722 and K.S.A. 25-2416, to clarify the restoration of civil rights for discharged inmates, including the right to vote. It specifies that any inmate whose civil rights have been restored will be offered the opportunity to register to vote. Furthermore, it introduces provisions to protect individuals who register to vote under the new guidelines from being penalized for voting without being qualified, provided they do not willfully misrepresent their eligibility. The bill repeals the previous versions of the mentioned statutes to incorporate these changes effectively.

Statutes affected:
As introduced: 22-3722, 25-2416, 21-5301