03/06/20252:00 PM CST start timeRobert J. Dole Hall

Past, Present & Future

03/06/20252:00 PM CST start timeRobert J. Dole Hall

The currently unfolding legal effort to revive fusion voting in Kansas presents an opportunity for reflection on this practice and its potential significance to Kansas voters and policymakers—how might Kansas politics and governance change with a return of this once-common aspect of the electoral process, and what constitutional rights are implicated in fusion's potential relegalization?

Event Agenda

2:00 p.m. - Welcome

2:15 p.m. - Opening Remarks

2:45 p.m. - Panel One: How Fusion Changes (and has Changed) the Political Equation

Our first panel will analyze the political and practical effects of fusion voting on elections and the policymaking process. A panel of expert political scientists and practitioners will explore fusion’s potential to change our polarized two-party system and introduce new roles for minor parties. Panelists will also discuss the impact of fusion, a once-common aspect of the electoral process, on Kansas’ political history, and how its potential return could impact Kansas’ politics and governance today.

3:45 p.m. - Break

4:00 p.m. - Panel Two: The Effort to Revive Fusion in Kansas

Our second panel will address the legal dimension of the currently unfolding effort to return fusion voting to Kansas. Panelists will discuss United Kansas, Inc. et al v. Schwab, the suit currently challenging the state’s fusion prohibition, and explore relevant aspects of Kansas’ legal landscape, including precedent on questions of political association and equal protection. Panelists will also discuss the constitutional rights implicated in state fusion prohibitions and the questions that courts must answer when considering legal challenges to them.

5:00 p.m. - Closing Remarks

5:10 p.m. - Reception with Refreshments

 

Speakers & Panelists

Deanell Tacha

The Hon. Deanell Tacha
Retired United States Circuit Judge 
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

 

 

 

 

 

  David RubensteinDavid Rubenstein
Professor of Law & Director 
Washburn University School of Law Robert J. Dole Center for Law & Government

Bill Kristol

Bill Kristol
Editor-at-Large 
The Bulwark

Lynn Schmidt

Lynn Schmidt, Moderator
Columnist/Editorial Board Member
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

 

 

 

 

 

 Don HinemanDon Hineman
Former Majority Leader 
Kansas House of Representatives

 

 

 

 

 

 Jen DresdenJen Dresden
Policy Strategist 
Project Democracy

 

 

 

 

 

 Oscar Pocasangre Oscar Pocasangre
Senior Data Analyst 
New America

 

 

 

 

 

 Jess WisneskiJess Wisneski
Co-Chair 
New York Working Families Party

David Rubenstein

David Rubenstein, Moderator
Professor of Law & Director 
Washburn University School of Law Robert J. Dole Center for Law & Government

 

 

 

 

 

 Jack CurtisJack Curtis
Chairman
United Kansas Party

 

 

 

 

 

 Nata ElaNate Ela
Assistant Professor
Temple University School of Law

 

 

 

 

 

 Micah KubicMicah Kubic
Executive Director
Kansas ACLU

Mark Schmitt

Mark Schmitt
Political Reform Program Director 
New America