Amending the Kansas Constitution is serious business. There are 2 clear choices Nov. 8
In the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s admonition not to remain silent, the board of the League of Women Voters of Johnson County, Kansas, has voted to speak up on two issues important to us all. The League’s purpose is to empower voters and defend democracy. We do not endorse or oppose candidates or political parties, but we do stand behind issues deemed by the League to be integral to our mission. Changing the state constitution is a matter to be taken very seriously, yet we’ve been asked to do just that three times this year.
In its 161 years of existence, the Kansas Constitution has been amended 98 times. Eleven of those changes happened over a 29-year period from 1990 to 2019. Yet in 2022, the Legislature has place three amendments on the ballot: one in the August primary election and two in the Nov. 8 general election. Why?
We believe that if the legislative veto amendment H.C.R. 5014 passes, it would shift the current balance of power in the Kansas government by allowing lawmakers to revoke or suspend any rule or regulation adopted by executive branch agencies.
The League of Women Voters of Johnson County strongly believes that all powers of the U.S. government should be exercised within the constitutional framework of a balance among the three branches of government: legislative, executive and judicial.
If H.C.R. 5014 passes, the Legislature could interfere with balance between the executive and legislative branches by a simple majority vote in each chamber. Therefore, we suggest a no vote.
The second proposed amendment, H.C.R. 5022 also known as “the sheriff amendment,” would require Kansas county sheriffs to be elected. The sheriff of Johnson County is currently an elected position, and that election requirement has been in place statewide for 50 years without incident.
If passed, the proposed amendment would shift the responsibility to handle any legal issues with sheriffs from local district attorneys to the state attorney general. The League’s board opposes that shift and recommends a no vote on Question 2.
In August, we witnessed what informed and passionate voters could accomplish when Kansans voted in record numbers. Our work is not complete. We encourage all voters to have a plan for casting their ballot. Will you vote early? Where and when? Are you voting by mail? Make certain that your ballot is mailed in plenty of time or deliver it to a secure ballot drop box. Do you know where to vote in person on Nov. 8? Check to see if your polling place has changed.
Lastly, study the ballot ahead of time. Go to Vote411.org or view a sample ballot from the state or local election office website.
Amending the state constitution should never be taken lightly, because every amendment affects every Kansan.