Federal judge rejects arguments that Dodge City election system dilutes Latino vote • Kansas Reflector

A federal judge has ruled Dodge City’s five-decade-old election system does not unfairly suppress Latino voter choices and can remain in place, rejecting arguments from the American Civil Liberties Union and others.

The U.S. District Court case over Dodge City's method of electing city commissioners ended Wednesday with a federal judge ruling the system can stay in place. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

Dodge City prevails in voting rights case over at-large elections

"We are currently exploring next steps in this case and will continue to work for a truly representative democracy that ensures Latine voters can have their voices heard," a legal team of ACLU of Kansas, ACLU’s Voting Rights Project, Cleary-Gottlieb, and the UCLA Voting Rights Project said.

FILE - In this Monday, Oct. 22, 2018, file photo, Ford County Democratic Party chairman Johnny Dunlap speaks about the party's get-out-the-vote efforts during a meeting of volunteers in Dodge City, Kan. (Jonathan Shorman/The Wichita Eagle via AP)

DOJ report: Wichita public schools disproportionally discipline Black and disabled students | KCUR - Kansas City news and NPR

In a report released Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Justice said Black students were disciplined more frequently and more severely than white students. Black girls were particularly singled out for offenses such as insubordination.

Hugo Phan / KMUW

After becoming an American citizen, this Kansas Citian is eager to vote in the 2024 election

Cindy Phillips, originally from Mexico City, became a U.S. citizen in December and registered to vote the very same day. She said systemic corruption in Mexican politics, including the murders of candidates and voters, make it dangerous to participate in democracy there.

Lawrence Brooks IV / KCUR 89.3 Cindy Phillips stands by a shelf filled with family photos and Mexican-themed dolls she brings back to Kearney, Missouri, when she travels back to Mexico. "Its a daily reminder of my heritage for me and my daughter."

New cameras track drivers in Shawnee Co. neighborhood

Groups like the ACLU have opposed the installation of automatic license plate readers for their ability to capture photographs of thousands of license plates per minute, citing a lack of rules surrounding the technology, ittle or no oversight and not enough protections for the privacy of drivers.

Image of Shawnee camera

Judge grants preliminary approval of settlement in Wichita gang list challenge

The U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas has granted preliminary approval of a proposed settlement in a class action lawsuit challenging the Wichita Police Department’s alleged violation of the constitutional rights of class members by including them in its gang list database.

Thumbnail of news video showing papers of settlement

ACLU on A.G. Kobach's lawsuit over recent Title IX changes

Micah Kubic responds to A.G. Kris Kobach's statement in 2023 on proposed Title IX changes.

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ACLU argues A.G. Kobach’s lawsuit over recent Title IX changes is political play

“I think that’s what his lawsuit is about, saying there are some folks who are not a part of our community who should be excluded, who should be punished and be persecuted by the law," says ACLU of Kansas executive director Micah Kubic.

Thumbnail of news video showing Kris Kobach

Derek Schmidt backs federal version of 'papers, please' law that disenfranchised Kansas voters • Kansas Reflector

ACLU of Kansas executive director on claims of non-citizens voting: ‘They were a lie then, and they’re a lie now.’

Derek Schmidt, who lost the 2022 election for governor, is now running for the GOP nominee in the 2nd District congressional race. He has thrown his support behind a federal proposal to impose unconstitutional restrictions on prospective voters. (Sherman