Big Win for Voter Rights in Kansas!
After three years of fighting voter suppression laws in the Kansas Statehouse and in the courts, I am thrilled to share excellent news in our case, League of Women Voter, et al v. Schwab.
Our 2021 lawsuit challenged laws that made it a crime to “give the appearance of being an election official,” tightened signature match requirements, and forbade assisting in the collection of ten or more advance ballots.
Earlier this week, District Judge Teresa Watson approved a temporary injunction halting the enforcement of a state law that could have criminalized voter registration activities. This agreement means that organizations and individuals can engage in voter registration and other get out the vote activities without fear of criminal charges. The injunction is in effect at least through November 2024.
From the day this law was passed, we knew that its real intent was to make it harder for Kansans to register to vote and to suppress voter turnout. This week’s injunction means that Kansas Appleseed, along with our fellow plaintiffs, League of Women Voters of Kansas, Loud Light, and the Topeka Independent Living Resource Center, can continue the vital work of registering voters.
We are grateful to our pro bono partners, The Elias Group and Irigonegaray, Turney, & Revenaugh, for their partnership on this case.
This week’s victory is a great reminder that “all political power is inherent in the people.” Even when harmful laws are passed and court rulings seem to work against us, we keep fighting to reclaim our power. And we can’t think of a better way to celebrate this week’s victory—and our collective power—than by exercising our right to vote in next week’s primary.
My best,
Teresa Woody
