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The suit was filed to demonstrate the at-large approach to city commission elections allowing all Dodge City residents to vote for all five commission seats, as opposed to a district form of representation, distorted outcomes so no “Latine-preferred candidate” had been elected since 2000.

As a formerly incarcerated individual who successfully navigated the justice system, I understand firsthand the importance of restoring voting rights to citizens returning to public life.

“Democracy is not a partisan matter. It’s the very foundation that ensures each Kansas voter can have a voice in the laws and policies affecting their lives,” said Micah Kubic, executive director of ACLU of Kansas.

A little more than a year ago, ACLU Kansas and other voting-rights groups filed a lawsuit against the city claiming that its at-large election system unlawfully dilutes the votes of Latinos – depriving them of proper representation.

“The thing that’s consistent about all of those is that they’re all attacks on democracy, all attacks on voting rights,” Kubic said. “Precisely the sort of attacks that have already been rejected by Kansans, rejected by courts and rejected by common sense.”

“Every day there are new attacks on voting rights in this country and Kansas is no exception,” Kubic stated. “Democracy is not just about voting rights. Democracy is the idea that everyone matters.”

Earlier this past summer, in the ACLU of Kansas’ report about the historical and social significance of the Quindaro settlement, we talked about the aspirational Kansas we fear too many residents here have forgotten.

A federal lawsuit against Dodge City that claims unfair voting systems create a barrier for Latine candidates in the city is set to move forward. The ACLU of Kansas recently announced that the case will now go to trial on Feb. 24, 2024, in Wichita.

Experts who study representation have found that at-large election systems have frequently diluted the minority vote intowns and cities with significant non-White populations across the country. Shifting to what are known as “single-member districts,” can help, they say.