Topeka ? Proponents of amending the Kansas Constitution to protect the voting rights of the mentally ill are planning six rallies before the Nov. 2 election.

The Kansas Mental Health Coalition is pushing the change, which must be approved by a simple majority of voters to become part of the constitution.

The rallies are scheduled Oct. 7 in Garden City, Oct. 11 in Independence, Oct. 12 in Hays, Oct. 15 in Olathe, Oct. 15 in Topeka and Oct. 18 in Wichita.

The proposed change would eliminate language in the constitution that authorizes legislators to deny voting rights to people with mental illness.

Kansas doesn’t bar voting by people with mental illness, but supporters say the change would be a meaningful step.