Topeka – Majority Leader Ray Merrick (R – Stilwell) and Representative Ann Mah (D – Topeka) announced today that they will file a bill to allow the people to vote when their property is affected by proposed unilateral annexation.

The bill will be known as the “Property Rights Protection Act”.

“It’s simple.  Citizens deserve the right to vote when annexation affects them,” said Merrick.  “When someone moves to an outlying area, they do so for a reason.  They should be allowed the opportunity to vote on the future of their land.”

A recent Overland Park area survey sent out to 571 local residents in a proposed annexation area showed that 471 of the 477, or approximately 99% of the respondents were against annexation.  Under current statutes 84% of the people in the affected area would be annexed despite their opposition.

“This scenario isn’t unique to Overland Park,” said Mah.  “Areas in Shawnee County have been fighting annexation for years. This bill would codify a just process that would allow the residents to decide.”

If an area is proposed for annexation it will require a vote of those being annexed.  No codes could be changed until after the residents have voted.  Voluntary annexation would not be affected.  This would only be an issue in areas where annexation concerns are raised.

The bill will be known as the “Property Rights Protection Act”.

“It’s simple.  Citizens deserve the right to vote when annexation affects them,” said Merrick.  “When someone moves to an outlying area, they do so for a reason.  They should be allowed the opportunity to vote on the future of their land.”

A recent Overland Park area survey sent out to 571 local residents in a proposed annexation area showed that 471 of the 477, or approximately 99% of the respondents were against annexation.  Under current statutes 84% of the people in the affected area would be annexed despite their opposition.

“This scenario isn’t unique to Overland Park,” said Mah.  “Areas in Shawnee County have been fighting annexation for years. This bill would codify a just process that would allow the residents to decide.”

If an area is proposed for annexation it will require a vote of those being annexed.  No codes could be changed until after the residents have voted.  Voluntary annexation would not be affected.  This would only be an issue in areas where annexation concerns are raised.