Fighting for Civil Liberties and Defending Freedom in the Free State

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jud sel

Judicial Selection

In the 2025 legislative session, Kansas lawmakers passed a bill, SCR 1611, that put a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot.
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EP 2026

Join the Election Protection Team 2026!

Are you ready to take action to ensure every vote counts in this year's elections? With voter suppression and misinformation about voting on the rise, we must do everything we can to make sure all voters have an equal opportunity to vote and have that vote count. We're teaming up with 866-Our-Vote to run Kansas's only statewide, non-partisan election protection program–and we're asking you to be a part of it! More information will follow, but here's an idea of the types of roles we will be looking to fill this election year: Poll Monitor: Volunteer for one or more three-hour shifts (7 a.m. - 11 a.m., 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., and 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.) on Election Day to observe polling location(s), help us collect data about polling locations, and assist voters in person. We will work with you to find a shift and location that works with your schedule on Election Day! Floating Poll Monitor: Volunteer on Election Day to collect data about polling locations and place and pick up 866-Our-Vote yard signs. This is a great option if you want to help but can't commit to the time to monitor a polling location. We will work with you to find a location that works with your schedule on Election Day! County Captain: Level up and volunteer as a leader on Election Day to be the point person for other volunteers in your county! Troubleshoot with poll monitors, help distribute supplies, and support our Poll Monitor training program. Thanks for protecting our democracy and signing up for more information about our Election Protection team!
Publication | BLOG
244

Understanding the New Kansas Law Targeting Transgender People

This resource will be further developed as we have more information. If you or a loved one is impacted by Senate Bill 244 becoming a law, contact us by visiting aclu.org/KS_SB244 or by clicking the link in our bio. We want to hear from you.
Campaign
voting

REPRESENT! RECLAIMING OUR VOTE AND RESTORING OUR DEMOCRACY

REPRESENT! RECLAIMING OUR VOTE AND RESTORING OUR DEMOCRACY

Press Releases

Apr 12, 2026

Kansas Lawmakers end legislative session with attack on voters, immigrants, and due process for all 

Kansas state lawmakers overrode gubernatorial vetoes last week in a broad attack on Kansans’ ability to vote, to be free from unconstitutional detention, and to protest.  

Mar 30, 2026

ACLU of Kansas Warns Against Kansas Lawmakers’ Multitudinal Attacks on Elections and Voters’ Rights  

Ahead of pivotal 2026 elections, the Kansas Legislature passed new provisions attacking elections and Kansas voters’ rights from a multitude of directions.

Mar 27, 2026

ACLU of Kansas warns against anti-immigrant driven bill undermining due process and expanding sheriff authority

The unconstitutional legislation would grant unlimited power to sheriffs and open the state to liability

Issues We're Monitoring

Reproductive Freedom Racial Justice Voting Rights Criminal Legal Reform LGBTQ+ Rights The First Amendment Immigrants' Rights View All Issues

REPRESENT! RECLAIMING OUR VOTE AND RESTORING OUR DEMOCRACY

REPRESENT! RECLAIMING OUR VOTE AND RESTORING OUR DEMOCRACY

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voting

Featured Case

probation litigation

Englund v. Kansas

On October 30, 2025, the ACLU of Kansas and pro bono counsel Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of four Kansans over the unlimited, harsher punishment of poor defendants. The courts of Johnson County extend people's probation because they are unable to pay their restitution, even if they follow all other requirements. Kansas law allows judges to extend probation on the grounds of outstanding restitution alone even though the State and the courts know that they can collect restitution without extending probation. For years and even decades, people on probation in Kansas who have met all other requirements of their sentences have been unable to civically engage with their community simply because they couldn't afford to pay their restitution. While on probation, people are subject to invasive searches of their person and possessions without a warrant, are required to report on their movements in and out of the state, are not allowed to eat in or visit places that serve alcohol, and have their associations and habits surveilled. People on probation also cannot vote in Kansas until after they have been officially discharged. When probation is extended due to failure to pay, all of the terms of probation are extended—not just the outstanding amount of debt. Some of the clients in this case have had their probation extended for decades longer than the probationary period originally prescribed by the legislature in the criminal statute. In 2022, 12% of the Kansans lived below the poverty line. Amongst Black and Latino Kansans, 20.7% and 20.6 % respectively lived below the poverty line. For Native American Kansans that number was 17.6%. These are the individuals most in need of a government that works for them. However, due to the laws like the Kansas probation extension statute, they are most likely to remain on de facto permanent probation. For more information on this case, view the documents below. Updates will be added periodically.