ACLU of Kansas applauds lawmakers for rejection of anti-voting bill

TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) - The American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas has applauded lawmakers in the Sunflower State for rejecting a bill deemed anti-voting.

The ACLU of Kansas announced that a series of anti-voting proposals hit a pause on Tuesday, March 5, as legislators rejected Senate Bill 365, which initially sought to end the 3-day grace period for the acceptance of mail-in ballots. The bill also would have banned the use of satellite ballot drop-off boxes.

“This was a very bad idea about voting rights from the past decade, formed into an absolute Frankenstein monster of a bill,” said Micah Kubic, Executive Director of the ACLU of Kansas. “We all want our elections to be secure – but we cannot give in to extremists who are hellbent on leveraging unfounded conspiracy theories to attack Kansans’ access to be a part of our democracy. With thousands of eligible Kansans already facing unnecessary barriers blocking their ability to vote, we’re glad to see Kansas lawmakers reject this false choice between security and an accessible democracy.”

After a Monday hearing, the organization said the bill included another amendment to end the use of electronic equipment to cast votes and count ballots. The bill was then heard by the Senate later that day and failed to pass on Tuesday with a 22-18 vote.

“This bill is completely out of touch with reality: the reality of how everyday Kansans across the political spectrum exercise their right to vote, and the reality of how the election process works,” said Rashane Hamby, Policy Director of the ACLU of Kansas. “Advanced voting is safe, secure, and crucial for a variety of Kansas voters — from people with mobility issues or health concerns to rural voters, to elderly and student voters. Frankly, all Kansas voters deserve better from their lawmakers. Lawmakers should know better than to spend time on bills like this which discourage and prevent their own constituents from participating in our elections.”

The ACLU noted that it urged lawmakers to oppose the bill, as well as other bills members have dubbed anti-democracy bills, in the 2024 session. The bill was requested for introduction by Senator Mike Thompson (R-Shawnee).

For more information about the bill, click HERE.

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