Certainly!
TOPEKA — Jack Curtis is on a mission to shake up the political scene in Kansas. He believes that by creating a new kind of party, he can attract people from all walks of life who feel like they don’t quite fit into the existing Republican and Democratic parties.
As the founding chairman of the United Kansas Party, Curtis sees a growing dissatisfaction with the divisive nature of politics and a desire for a more inclusive alternative. Unlike traditional advocacy groups, the United Kansas Party aims to secure a spot on the ballot, giving voters a new option come election time.
To achieve this, Curtis and his team collected a whopping 35,000 signatures, well above the required 2% of registered voters in Kansas. With this achievement, they hope to offer voters a fresh choice beyond the usual party lines.
But it’s not just about having their candidates on the ballot. Curtis envisions a party that encourages open debate and even legal challenges to implement a nomination process where candidates can be endorsed by multiple parties.
The focus of the United Kansas Party will be on engaging with the state’s large number of unaffiliated voters, who make up a significant portion of the electorate. By offering a centrist platform and prioritizing sensible governance, they aim to bridge the gap between the two major parties and bring moderation back to Kansas politics.
One innovative idea Curtis proposes is fusion voting, where candidates can be nominated by multiple parties, giving voters a more personal stake in the election process. This approach, already in practice in five other states, could appeal to independent voters who feel disenfranchised by the current political system.
Overall, Curtis emphasizes that the United Kansas Party is not about amassing power for its own sake, but rather about putting the needs of constituents first. By electing responsible and responsive leaders, they hope to bring positive change to Kansas politics and offer a viable alternative to the status quo.
