Kansas special session plans fall through

KANSAS (KSNT) - After months of pushing for a special session on redistricting, Kansas Republicans' plans have fallen through after failing to obtain enough signatures.

Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins released a statement on Tuesday, Nov.4, signaling that their plans have failed.

"Planning a Special Session is always going to be an uphill battle with multiple agendas, scheduling conflicts, and many other unsees factors at play," said Hawkins in a press release. "At the end of the day, a supermajority of Republicans still believe there should be oversight of over a billion dollars in assistance for rural healthcare, know the difference between a man and a woman, and wish to have a conversation about redistricting."

Lawmakers originally started circulating a petition for a special session in mid-October, amid calls from the White House for Republicans to redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 Election.

Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach also requested for lawmakers to address gender markers on driver's licenses, after a recent court ruling allowed the Kansas Department of Revenue to continue the practice after a years-long hiatus.

Democratic lawmakers, however, believed the purpose of the special session would be to redistrict Kansas in order to prevent three-term Congresswoman Sharice Davids from representing Kansas in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Tonight’s announcement is a testament to the People of Kansas making it crystal clear that they oppose any attempt, by any party, to cheat the system by drawing new Congressional districts," said Kansas House Democratic Leader Brandon Woodard. "In Kansas, we use Census data and public input each decade to draw new maps, not pressure from any White House.  I applaud the bipartisan coalition of Kansas House members who stood strong against a sham special session that would cost $460,000 in Kansas taxpayer dollars.”

Lawmakers are scheduled to return to the Capitol on January 12th for their annual legislative session where Masterson affirms redistricting will be a top priority.

“In 2016, 2020, and again in 2024, Kansans gave President Trump overwhelming support in record numbers, and they expect their elected leaders to keep fighting for his America-First agenda,” said Kansas Senate President Ty Masterson. “That’s exactly what we’ve done in the Senate, and that’s exactly what we’ll keep doing. We’re not backing down, and we’re not sitting out of this fight.”

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