The ACLU of Kansas says the state has a patchwork of voting laws that make it harder to cast ballots in some areas.
County election officials in Kansas have wide authority to set early voting hours and manage polling places. The ACLU wants officials to take steps that increase turnout, like extending early voting into evenings and weekends.
“So that folks who are busy and have families and jobs can get to the polls," said Micah Kubic, ACLU Kansas executive director. "Those are the counties that have the highest voter turnout rates.”
The ACLU found that counties with extended early voting hours had turnout 6 percentage points higher than counties with limited hours.
The group also wants more rules for counting provisional ballots, so that’s handled consistently among counties.
The report does say voter interest and competitive elections play a part in registration and turnout. Election officials have pointed out that Kansas had record voter turnout this last election and some areas broke voter registration records.
Stephen Koranda has more: