A speaker at a Lawrence event this week will offer info about a constitutional amendment coming up on voters’ primary election ballots that would change how Kansas Supreme Court justices are selected.
The amendment, coming up on the Aug. 4 ballot, would shift the current merit-based process, which is completed in multiple steps involving nominations and peers, to a public election process.
Critics have concerns that the change would result in a politician-centered bench, but proponents argue it would empower voters. Here’s a Kansas Reflector article that shares perspectives on both sides and some background.
The featured speaker will be Amii Castle, who is a professor of practice in the University of Kansas’ Schools of Law and Business. Castle “will help us demystify these amendments and what they mean for our daily lives and our rights as Kansans,” according to information from event organizers. “This event is all about conversation and clear information.”
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The event, “Judicial Selection and Other Constitutional Amendments Affecting Your Rights,” is set for 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 2 at the Carnegie Building, 200 W. Ninth St. in downtown Lawrence.
The event will be hosted by Leading Kansas, the same organization that hosted former Washington, D.C. Metro police officer Michael Fanone earlier this month.
“Like the federal government, the Kansas legislature is attempting to push forth laws to make voting more difficult and to change the very impartial way we currently select judges,” Jim Otten, a local rep for Leading Kansas, said via email Tuesday. “There are not many more important issues of our time than these so we’re trying to help have an educated populous.”
Registration is preferred but not required. Those who plan to attend can register at this link.
All voters, regardless of whether they’re affiliated with a political party, will be able to vote in the Tuesday, Aug. 4 primary election. Tuesday, July 14 is the deadline to register to vote in the primary. Douglas County voters can register to vote, update their registration or request an advance ballot to vote by mail at KSVotes.org.
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