As Election Day approaches, we’re working alongside Kansans to encourage voter participation, strengthen access to the ballot box, and build a more just state. The stakes are real: decisions made by elected leaders shape access to food, the future of our justice and foster care systems, and the opportunities available to Kansas families and communities.
Make your voice heard: learn about the issues, make a plan to vote, and encourage your friends, family, and neighbors to do the same. Every vote is an opportunity to help shape Kansas’s future.
Haley Kottler is Rising Star of the Year for 2026!
Congratulations to Haley Kottler!
Haley was selected as the 2026 Rising Star of the Year by the Appleseed Network! She accepted the award at the Pillars of Justice ceremony on September 24 in Washington, D.C. The Rising Star award recognizes anyone less than 10 years into their advocacy career who has shown exceptional commitment to social justice, their community, and collaboration within our national network
We’re so proud to work with you, Haley!
Get Out the Vote Virtual Phone Banking Opportunities
Help us get the word out about the November 3 general election! All Kansas eligible voters deserve to have their voices heard at the ballot box!
Join our nonpartisan, virtual phone banks from the comfort of your own home and get paid $50 per completed 2.5-hour shift! They’re easy and only require a computer and internet connection. We start each phone bank shift with training so you’ll feel prepared to talk to voters and use the virtual phone system.
Learn more and sign up here (and be sure to indicate you are with Kansas Appleseed).
Families Shouldn’t Have to Reach a Crisis to Get Help
Too often, families struggling with poverty face child welfare investigations when what they need most is support. In our latest blog, Brenna Visocsky, Campaign Director, writes about how expanding prevention services could help families get the support they need before a crisis leads to unnecessary involvement with the foster care system. One opportunity is respite care: short-term support that gives primary caregivers time to navigate challenges, access employment resources, or simply catch their breath while keeping their families together.
Read the full blog here.
ARE YOU VOTING BY MAIL?
Kansas currently allows mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day to arrive by the last postal delivery on the Friday after the election. Because of ongoing legal challenges, this three-day grace period could be eliminated, so complete and return your advance ballot promptly. If mailing it, send it 7–9 days before Election Day to help ensure it arrives on time.
You can also return your ballot in person at a polling place or in a secure drop box.
Board Member Spotlight: Karen Griffiths
Karen Griffiths is a partner at Sebelius, Griffiths & Horn LLP and a graduate of Washburn University and Washburn Law. Deeply committed to children’s health and family well-being, Karen continues to serve through leadership roles in food access and healthcare initiatives in northwest Kansas. She is passionate about making healthy decisions affordable for families, which includes advocating for Medicaid expansion.
Karen has served on the Kansas Appleseed board since 2018.
IN THE NEWS:
- Kansas feeds the country. Its residents are losing access to food assistance
- How many mail ballots did Kansas count during primary grace period?
- Kansas fails to provide foster kids with stable housing, mental health services: report
- Kansas Appleseed advocates for youth affected by juvenile-justice law
- Five years in, Kansas isn’t meeting commitment to foster kids. What leaders say now
