A new statewide political party in Kansas submitted enough signatures last week to qualify for the state’s November general election ballot. The new organization, called the United Kansas Party, seeks to prioritize the adoption of fusion voting.
In an announcement on social media last Tuesday, the United Kansas Party stated that it submitted 35,152 signature petition in an effort to qualify for the November general election ballot. The party is chaired by healthcare administrator Jack Curtis, with Sally Cauble, a former three-term Republican State Board of Education member, serving as co-chair. Additionally, former Manhattan, Kansas, City Commissioner Aaron Estabrook is the party’s treasurer.
According to information published by the United Kansas Party, its aim is not to act as a “spoiler” but rather to push the Republican and Democratic parties toward more pragmatic positions by advocating for the adoption of fusion voting, a practice not currently utilized in Kansas. Fusion voting, already practiced in certain states like New York and New Hampshire under specific circumstances, would enable parties such as the United Kansas Party to cross-endorse candidates from other parties on the ballot.
“Fusion voting is not just a theoretical concept; it is a tried-and-tested method that has empowered diverse voices in other states,” the party also states on its website. “By adopting fusion voting in Kansas, we can trigger necessary litigation around its implementation, paving the way for its broader acceptance.”
Other values emphasized by the United Kansas Party on its website include affordable and accessible healthcare, quality education for all, the promotion of volunteerism, the modernization of Kansas infrastructure, and the advancement of sustainable environmental practices, among other topics. Additionally, the party wants multi-party dialogue that prioritizes “understanding and collaboration over party lines.”