ACLU of Kansas in the News

ACLU calls out Overland Park police for ‘militarized response’ to Black Lives Matter protest

In a letter addressed to Overland Park Police Chief Frank Donchez, the civil rights group highlighted concerns with officers’ handling of a peaceful protest on July 24. The ACLU was acting in support of local organizers who objected to the police tactics.

August 19, 2020

Ruling: Kansas must release names of provisional voters

Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab must release the names of people who cast provisional ballots in the 2018 general election, including whether their votes were counted, a Kansas judge ruled, handing a victory to a group that wants to expand voting rights.

July 28, 2020

Suit: Kansas official must disclose uncounted ballot names

The top election official in Kansas violated the state’s open records law by refusing to release the names of people who cast provisional ballots or say whether their votes were counted, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday.

June 24, 2020

Spurred by pandemic, Kansas ACLU launches clemency project

Individual clemency petitions will be filed on a rolling basis beginning with the inmates who were part of that lawsuit as well as more than 50 others who have since contacted the ACLU. And Bonds expects that number to grow.

May 14, 2020

Court: Kansas Can't Require Voters to Show Citizenship Proof

A federal appeals court panel ruled Wednesday that Kansas can’t require voters to show proof of citizenship when they register, dealing a blow to efforts by Republicans in several states who have pursued restrictive voting laws as a way of combating voter fraud.

April 29, 2020

Kansas Supreme Court cancels arguments on releasing inmates

The lawsuit argues that the inmates are housed in crowded conditions with limited access to adequate medical care. It also contended that releasing vulnerable inmates would allow proper social distancing and reduce the virus’ transmission among remaining prisoners.

April 15, 2020