By Associated Press, February 16, 2010
The Kansas Senate has adopted a proposed change in the state constitution to protect mentally ill Kansans against losing the right to vote.
The Senate's 38-1 vote on Tuesday sends the resolution to the House. Adoption there by a two-thirds majority would put the proposal on the Nov. 2 statewide ballot.
The Kansas Constitution allows the Legislature to pass laws to prevent the mentally ill from voting. The amendment would take away that authority.
The change would be largely symbolic, because Kansas doesn't prevent people with mental illnesses from voting by law.
Still, supporters say it's an important gesture to make because many Kansans are diagnosed with conditions such as depression or bipolar disorder.