OUR RIGHT TO VOTE IS ON THE BALLOT! Learn about the proposed Constitutional Amendment Here!
Protect Voting Rights in Kansas
Vote NO on Nov 3, 2026
It sounds harmless because U.S. citizenship is already required to vote in Kansas. But that’s the point: this amendment isn’t needed to establish citizenship requirements—they already exist.
At first glance, it sounds like this amendment changes nothing. That’s the risk.
Right now, the state has to show you’re not eligible to vote. This amendment could open the door to making you prove you are.
That could mean new proof requirements, new court fights, and Kansas taxpayers footing the bill.
What does this Amendment do?
Right now, the Kansas Constitution says: If you are a U.S. citizen, 18 or older, and live where you are voting, you are a qualified voter.
The amendment changes that to: You are not a qualified voter unless you meet those requirements.
So the basic eligibility requirements do not change. The change is from “you are qualified if…” to “you are not qualified unless…”. The amendment itself does not require you to show a birth certificate, passport, or other proof of citizenship; whether the new wording would support additional proof requirements would be a separate legal question.
Why We Oppose
U.S. citizenship is already required to vote in Kansas, so this amendment does not fix a problem with our current law.
What worries us is what could come next. If Kansas again requires people to prove citizenship before registering, that could mean finding a birth certificate or passport, dealing with a name that changed after marriage, or fixing records that don't match. Eligible voters who cannot get the right paperwork could have trouble registering and voting.
Kansas has tried a documentary proof-of-citizenship requirement before, and federal courts struck it down. We do not want to make it easier to have that fight all over again.
A paperwork problem should never cost an eligible citizen their vote.
We urge Kansans to VOTE NO to protect voting rights and our tax dollars!
Who Opposes this Amendment?
Kansas Bar Association / Kansas attorneys
Kansas lawyers have opposed this change because they believe Supreme Court justices should be evaluated for legal experience, fairness, temperament, and qualifications before reaching the bench. The Kansas Bar Association has argued that replacing merit selection with statewide elections would shift the focus toward campaign skill and fundraising instead of legal ability. Read More
ACLU of Kansas
The ACLU of Kansas opposes the amendment because courts should remain independent and able to rule based on law, not political pressure. They warn that judicial elections can invite outside money and turn courts into another political battlefield. Read their Blog Post
Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice
Kansas Appleseed has been educating voters about how Kansas’ current system has protected fair and impartial courts for decades. Their concern is that changing the system could weaken judicial independence and make justice more vulnerable to politics and money. Check out their information.
Educators and public school advocates
Groups including the Kansas Association of School Boards and American Federation of Teachers-Kansas have opposed the amendment. Public education advocates have a strong interest in fair courts because Kansas courts have played an important role in protecting constitutional obligations, including school funding and equal treatment under the law.
Kansans who voted NO on Value Them Both
In 2022, Kansas voters rejected Value Them Both and chose not to remove constitutional protection for abortion rights. Many of those same voters may see this judicial amendment as part of a broader effort to politicize the courts after politicians disagreed with court rulings on reproductive freedom. We believe one long-term goal of politicizing Kansas courts is to weaken or end abortion protections in Kansas.
“Judges are not politicians, even when they come to the bench by way of the ballot.”
— Justice Sandra Day O’Connor
“This is a blatant power grab…”
-Micah Kubic of the ACLU
It's simple. If you voted no in August 2022, vote no in August 2026.
Host a yard sign!
Help us spread the word in Miami County! Hosting a yard sign is one simple way to remind neighbors that a YES vote changes the system, and a NO vote keeps the current system.
Sign up to host a Vote NO / Protect Fair Courts yard sign and help defend fair, independent courts in Kansas.
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(913) 557-0260
info@miamicoksdems.org
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© 2026. All rights reserved. Paid for by the Miami County Kansas Democratic Central Committee. Charlie Brand, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
