2026 KsLeg Session: Voting Rights
- Stand Up Blue Valley
- 16 hours ago
- 2 min read
How did BV-area legislators vote on limits on voting rights and potentially overturning the US Constitution?
Wait, WHAT?
Kansas became the latest state to vote (via legislators) for a “constitutional convention” - purportedly to place term limits on the US Congress. Why do KS legislators - who don’t have term limits - care about them for US congress reps? Well, once such a Convention is called (by having 34 states pass the resolution), there are NO limits on what can come out of it. They can SAY they want its scope to be specific to the issue of Congressional term limits - but there is NO guarantee.
This is a dangerous proposition.
Idaho recently voted down this proposal, with the Idaho Republican Party Chair saying “Opening it to a convention carries serious and unpredictable risks that could extend far beyond a single amendment.” (link in comments)
Voting YES, for an unlimited power grab to permanently change the US Constitution:
Representatives Croft, VanHouden, Tarwater, Turner
Senators Warren, Rose
Voting NO, because they know it’s dangerous:
Representatives Featherston, Poskin, Meyer, Osman, McDonald
Senator Holscher
Outlawing Mail ballot elections (like school district bonds) - passed by KS House; did not make it out of KS Senate
Spearheaded by Rep. Pat Proctor, who’s running for KS Secretary of State, a bill that would completely outlaw mail elections. This would cost school districts and municipalities millions of dollars (to pay for in-person voting on initiatives) and make one-issue votes like bonds difficult to administer. No evidence was presented to support and problems with mail ballot elections, although proponents made unsubstantiated claims.
Voting YES to kill local mail ballot elections despite any evidence of problems:
Representatives Croft, Tarwater, Turner
Voting NO, keep local bond elections the way they are:
Representatives Featherston, Poskin, VanHouden, Meyer, Osman, McDonald
Ending No-excuse mail ballot voting - vetoed by Gov. Kelly
Currently, Kansas voters can request a mail ballot for any reason. Convenience, travel, illness or disability, caring for young children, work obligations; some voters like to sit down with their ballot and ensure their choices are well-researched as they complete it. KsLeg passed legislation that would outlaw no-excuse mail balloting, which was vetoed by Gov. Kelly. They didn’t have the votes to override her veto. (The bill would have allowed for some advance mail ballots, but required certain stipulated reasons for the request.)
Voting YES, to disallow voters from using mail ballots for convenient voting:
Representatives Croft, VanHouden, Tarwater, Turner
Senators Warren, Rose
Voting NO, keep things as they are and encourage voting:
Representatives Featherston, Poskin, Meyer, Osman, McDonald
Senator Holscher
SUBV believes voting rights are essential not only for public schools but for our democracy. Attempts to undermine and restrict voter rights and accessibility are anti-American.
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