Local Democrats urged community members during a rally Sunday to help people register and get out the vote — and in particular, to vote against a constitutional amendment coming to ballots in August 2026.
Many in attendance hoped that candidates for governor or U.S. Senate would be announced; instead, organizers used the rally at South Park to spread Democratic support.
To open, Douglas County Democratic Party Chair Melinda Lavon discussed general concerns about the Trump administration.
“Now that a lot of America has clarity on what we’re against,” Lavon said, “I think it’s time to talk about the things that we’re actually for.”
Rep. Suzanne Wikle, of Lawrence, voiced her support for an equal tax system and family-friendly policies like affordable child care.
“As a Democrat, my priorities are people and families over corporations,” Wikle said.
Jeanna Repass, chair of the Kansas Democratic Party, invited Diana and Randy Dean up to the stage. They’re the parents of the late Taylor Dean, a former candidate for Kansas Legislature who died in 2023.
Diana spoke about the importance of organized labor unions. She voiced her support for their fight against massive corporations. She specifically called out Walmart and Amazon for their low wages and urged the audience to boycott them.
“Solidarity today, solidarity tomorrow, and solidarity forever,” Diana said.
Although Repass gave her time to the Deans, she closed off their time by speaking for the Kansas Democratic Party.
“I will speak out, I will fight back, I will resist, I am America,” the crowd repeated after Repass.
Sen. Marci Francisco, of Lawrence, spoke in opposition to a constitutional amendment that will appear on Kansans’ ballots in the August 2026 primary election. The amendment would have voters elect judges to the Kansas Supreme Court rather than the current merit-based selection system.
“It’s about billionaires buying off judges, but it’s really just a back door to banning abortion. This isn’t our first rodeo, though, is it?” Lavon said, referring to Kansas’ August 2022 primary election.
Voters ultimately protected the right to abortion with about 60% of the vote in a primary election that saw unusually high turnout.
“We need everyone to come out … and, once again, vote ‘no,’” Francisco said of the Supreme Court amendment. “… We all need your help. And together, we will make Kansas a better place.”
Carole Cadue-Blackwood, Lawrence school board member and chair of the Kansas Democratic Party’s Indigenous Caucus, spoke about the importance of public education as she faced interruptions from a few in the audience.
“Education is power. Trump is deliberately destroying the pathway of our children to have a better life,” Cadue-Blackwood said.
Rep. Brooklynne Mosley, of Lawrence, spoke about the importance of speaking up and looking toward the future.
“When I think about being a Democrat, I think about progress,” Mosley said. “… You can shout us down but that will not change the truth — we are in a dire situation.”
Christy Davis, of Cottonwood Falls, brought up a topic not yet discussed in the rally: rural Kansas. She conveyed the importance of protecting rural families and representing them in politics.
“I will continue to help everybody’s voices,” Davis said. “… I am for livable wages for rural, suburban and urban people.”
Sen. Cindy Holscher, of Overland Park, built on Davis’ points but also brought up the importance of journalism. She relayed her objections to the current presidential administration’s treatment of the press. She also brought up a more local instance of reporters being banned from the Kansas House chamber floor.
Last up was Rep. Barbara Ballard, of Lawrence, who voiced the urgency of using history to reflect on current situations, and of communities coming together to use their voices and votes.
“It’s going to be hard, but we have to have hope and faith,” Ballard said.
The rally finished by urging the crowd to attend a labor workers march that is set for Saturday, May 1 at the City Market in Kansas City, Missouri.
Between now and the 2026 election, Lawrence voters will elect two Lawrence city commissioners and three Lawrence school board members. The deadline to file to run for office is noon Monday, June 2.
The deadline to register to vote or update your voter registration for the Aug. 5, 2025 primary election, if a primary is necessary, is Tuesday, July 15. Douglas County voters can register quickly online at KSVotes.org.
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Emilia (Mimi) Rosado Schmitt (she/her) is a junior at Lawrence High School and a co-editor in chief for the LHS Budget, where she edits stories and makes graphics and reports.
See more of her work for the Times here.
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