Kansas lawmakers are considering a new bill aimed at scrutinizing non-citizens who may be on voter rolls through their driver’s license records.
House Bill 2020 seeks to enhance election integrity by using driver’s license data to check voter eligibility.
House Bill 2020 Overview
House Bill 2020, introduced by Representative Paul Waggoner, mandates that the Division of Vehicles (DOV) submit detailed personal information of non-citizens who hold temporary driver’s licenses to the Secretary of State.
This data will be used to cross-check against voter registration lists. If non-citizens are identified on the voter rolls, their names will be removed.
Data Collection and Verification Process
Under the new legislation, the DOV will provide monthly reports on non-citizens holding temporary driver’s licenses. These reports will include sensitive information, such as Social Security numbers, names, and birthdates.
The Secretary of State will then cross-reference this information with voter registration databases. Non-citizens found on the voter rolls will be purged, and affected individuals will be notified.
Costs and Financial Implications
The estimated cost of implementing House Bill 2020 is around $1,250 for the fiscal year 2026. These costs cover the technical programming and testing required for the new system to compare DOV data with voter registration records. Handling and redacting sensitive data will also contribute to the overall expenses.
Privacy and Legal Concerns
While the bill aims to ensure the accuracy of voter rolls, it raises concerns about data privacy. Critics argue that the sharing of personal details like Social Security numbers could lead to potential privacy violations. Additionally, there are concerns about mistakes that could disenfranchise legitimate voters who may be removed due to data errors.
Supporters’ Arguments
Supporters of the bill, including state officials, assert that House Bill 2020 is necessary to preserve the integrity of Kansas elections.
By removing non-citizens from voter rolls, they argue that the measure will help safeguard against potential voter fraud. This approach formalizes a practice that has been in place for years but now ensures more thorough checks.
Impact on Voter Registration
If House Bill 2020 passes, non-citizens will be removed from the voter rolls, ensuring only eligible U.S. citizens can vote in Kansas elections.
However, the impact on voter registration will depend on how accurately the DOV can identify non-citizens, and whether any legitimate voters are affected by the changes.
| Aspect | Details | Costs | Data Privacy Concerns | Supporters’ Views |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Purpose | To cross-check temporary driver’s license holders against voter rolls and remove non-citizens. | Projected cost of $1,250 for the fiscal year 2026. | Concerns about sharing sensitive personal data like Social Security numbers. | Aimed at preventing voter fraud and ensuring electoral integrity. |
| Data Collection | DOV to submit monthly reports containing personal information of non-citizens holding temporary driver’s licenses. | Programming and testing of the system incur costs. | Potential risks to data privacy, including unauthorized access. | Formalizes the process that has existed for years, making the check more thorough. |
| Implementation | DOV data will be compared to voter registration lists to remove non-citizens. | Includes costs for redacting and protecting sensitive information. | Possible mistakes could lead to legitimate voters being removed. | Ensures the accuracy of voter rolls and protects U.S. citizen voting rights. |
| Impact on Voter Registration | Non-citizens will be purged from the voter rolls to ensure eligibility of voters. | Administrative work needed to notify affected individuals. | Legal implications if non-citizens are mistakenly removed. | Protects the integrity of elections by verifying voter eligibility. |
Conclusion
House Bill 2020 seeks to bolster the integrity of Kansas’ electoral system by ensuring that only eligible voters participate in elections. While the bill is designed to address concerns about voter fraud, it raises significant questions about privacy and the potential for disenfranchisement.
As it moves through the legislative process, careful consideration will be needed to balance election security with the protection of voters’ rights.
FAQs
What is House Bill 2020 about?
House Bill 2020 is a proposed Kansas law that mandates the Division of Vehicles to submit personal information of non-citizens with temporary driver’s licenses to the Secretary of State for cross-checking against voter rolls.
Why is this bill being introduced?
The bill aims to enhance the integrity of Kansas elections by ensuring that only eligible U.S. citizens are registered to vote, preventing non-citizens from being included in the voter rolls.
How will the information be used?
The personal information collected from non-citizens with temporary driver’s licenses will be cross-referenced with voter registration data. Non-citizens found on the voter rolls will be removed, and the individuals will be notified.
