Topeka ? Senators voted Wednesday to remove restrictions on the number of roll-call votes the chamber can take on amendments to bills being debated on the Senate floor.

The rule, adopted 21-19 on a recorded vote, breaks with tradition held in the Senate that limited the number of roll calls to five on any given bill. A roll call is a recorded vote that is conducted at the request of at least five of the 40 senators. Voice votes, which are not recorded, can also be used to add amendments.

Supporters said removing the restriction would open the legislative process and allow people to know how their senators voted on particular issues.

Opponents said the procedure would open them to election campaigns where their opponents could use the votes against them. The House allows for unlimited roll-call votes, with the showing of 15 hands in the 125-member chamber.

All bills are adopted by recorded votes in both chambers when sent to final action.

The procedure will be tested Thursday when the Senate debates a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriage in Kansas.

During debate in 2004 on the same language to be considered Thursday, senators opposed to the amendment were able to exhaust the five roll-call limit on procedural maneuvers. The tactic angered supporters of the ban who said it allowed legislators to hide from their actions.