Friday, November 5, 2010

Kansans decide Legislature can no longer deny voting rights to mentally ill

From The Associated Press:

TOPEKA, Kan. - The Kansas Legislature no longer has the authority to deny voting rights to the mentally ill.

Voters amended the Kansas Constitution on Nov. 2 to remove language allowing the Legislature to prohibit voting by people with mental illness.

Lawmakers had never used that authority. But proponents called the amendment an important symbolic step toward helping people understand mental illness.

The measure had broad bipartisan support and inspired no organized opposition.