ACLU Kansas Beehive Volunteer Story: Emmie

With so many organizations clamoring for my time and money following the disastrous 2024 election, I ultimately chose to focus the bulk of my effort with the ACLU of Kansas Beehive. I care deeply about what is happening nationally, but I also believe that ACLU of Kansas’s focus on winnable objectives at the state and local levels provides the best opportunity to have an effect that will ripple outward.

I was fortunate to be raised by parents who believed in inclusivity and fairness. My mom, after witnessing the collateral effects of racism as a child, especially wanted a better world for my siblings and me. My eighth grade social studies teacher used a wide variety of materials to help us learn the historical implications of social injustice. Thanks to their influence, I have been involved with social justice organizations since my late teens.

After the 2016 election my efforts were almost always reactive and fueled by rage and despair. I attended a lot of protests, wrote to my senators and U. S. representative, and spent too much time on social media. I cheered the ACLU of Kansas as they fought voter suppression by our then Secretary of State, but I limited my involvement to making small financial contributions. I also attended Election Protection training but didn't commit to serve at a polling place.  

Around the 2024 election, I was feeling nervous but energized. I took a shift as an Election Protection monitor and actually enjoyed greeting voters. Near the end of my shift, I was able to assist a voter who had moved to another city within the same county during the past year and was only allowed to cast a provisional ballot. I identified myself as a volunteer for the ACLU and felt proud when she confirmed that our purpose was to make sure eligible people were allowed to vote.

On November 6, I felt furious, disheartened, and physically ill. I knew I couldn’t spend the next four years sustaining the rage-fueled, scattershot approach I’d taken eight years ago but I also knew that sitting out wasn’t an option. With some reluctance, I attended an online meeting to learn about the ACLU of Kansas's Firewall for Freedom and was intrigued by their proactive approach of targeting key counties with winnable objectives which, if won, will make life better for all Kansans. I was nervous when asked to meet with my County Commissioner on expanding language access at the polls, but the values of fairness and inclusivity my parents instilled made me push past my discomfort. When my County Commissioner didn’t respond to my email, I sent a second one, followed by a voicemail, which finally resulted in an in-person meeting scheduled for later this month. 

One of my proudest moments as a Kansan was in August 2022, when the Vote NO campaign to protect abortion rights succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. Looking ahead, I’m hopeful that the 2026 Vote NO campaign regarding the judicial selection amendment will restore the same hope and pride back to our state.