Kansas Trains Record 200 Volunteers to Help Voters

When Kansans needed help exercising their right to vote, nearly 200 volunteers answered the call.

The ACLU of Kansas trained a record number of volunteers for its nonpartisan Election Protection program ahead of the state's August 4 primary election. These everyday citizens staffed hotlines and stationed themselves at polling locations across Kansas to answer voter questions and solve problems on the spot.

The growth tells a powerful story. In August 2024, 55 volunteers participated across 15 counties. For the 2026 primary, that number jumped to nearly 200 volunteers deployed statewide.

The program operates through the 866-OUR-VOTE hotline, where trained volunteers help voters navigate everything from mail-in ballot questions to finding their correct polling location. Calls have been pouring in throughout July, with a noticeable spike in the final week before election day.

Laura O'Reilly, Senior Staff Attorney for the ACLU of Kansas, explained how the program fills a crucial gap. Local election officials work hard to run smooth elections but often can't provide immediate answers to individual voter questions, which is exactly where these volunteers step in.

The Ripple Effect

The program has already proven its value in previous elections. In 2022, hotline volunteers in Sedgwick County quickly reported when voters were wrongfully turned away from a polling location in Maize and redirected elsewhere before polls closed.

The ACLU contacted the election office immediately, allowing affected voters to cast provisional ballots. The problem was resolved quickly and collaboratively, without needing litigation.

Micah Kubic, Executive Director of the ACLU of Kansas, captured what drives this volunteer surge. Beyond campaign noise and party conflicts, democracy happens when communities ensure everyone gets a seat at the table.

The volunteers represent Kansas neighbors helping neighbors cast their ballots. They don't push political agendas or favor candidates, they simply make sure every eligible voter who shows up can exercise their constitutional right.

This eighth year of Election Protection in Kansas shows citizens taking ownership of their democracy in the most direct way possible: showing up to help their fellow voters succeed.