The ACLU of Kansas and the Shawnee Mission School District have reached a settlement agreement in which the school district will adopt new measures for non-school sponsored events, the ACLU of Kansas announced March 5.

Organizers want to influence legislation regarding criminal justice reform policies relating to civil asset forfeiture, defelonizing all classes of drug crimes, and standardizing diversion practices state-wide.

Alejandro Rangel-Lopez, a lead plaintiff in a recently settled lawsuit that forced Ford County election officials to open two, new Dodge City polling places, will share with a U.S. House committee Feb. 14 at 8:30 a.m. EST how he got involved in the effort.

Davis Hammet, president of Loud Light, a Topeka-based, civic engagement nonprofit focusing on expanding democracy and increasing voter turnout, filed his petition last summer with help from the ACLU of Kansas.

“We couldn’t imagine a reason to oppose the voluntary motion if the plan is to actually open the new sites,” Bonds said. “Prolonging this case only drives up legal fees,” she said.

The Kansas Coalition for Citizen Participation (KCCP) will host its second annual Lobby Day, drawing an expected 100 Kansans from across the state in a mobilization aimed at protecting and expanding voting rights.