Voting rights advocates warn of new legislation that could hurt Kansans’ ability to vote. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector)
TOPEKA — Kansas voters believe in democracy, not “garbage” conspiracy theories, said one voting advocate, discussing the shadow of the “big lie” that has shadowed every Kansas legislative session since 2020.
Davis Hammet, president of the voter advocacy group Loud Light and Micah Kubic, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas warned of continued attempts to restrict Kansas voters during a Kansas Reflector podcast, referencing multiple election bills heard in recent weeks.
“The thing that’s consistent about all of those is that they’re all attacks on democracy, all attacks on voting rights,” Kubic said. “Precisely the sort of attacks that have already been rejected by Kansans, rejected by courts and rejected by common sense.”
The bills range from limiting advanced voting, creating additional restrictions for people delivering ballots for others and adding further verification for mail-in ballots. The legislation has been introduced despite assurances from Secretary of State Scott Schwab, who has repeatedly testified that Kansas elections are secure and accurate.