Kansas legislature ‘very close’ to having enough votes to call a special session

TOPEKA (KSNT) — The petition to call for a special legislative session in Kansas is currently circulating and gaining signatures.

Lawmakers in the Kansas Legislature voted on Monday, Oct. 13 to set aside $460,000 to host a four-day long special session. However, it won’t happen without a petition signed by at least two thirds of both the house and the senate.

Now, we’re hearing from State Representative Pat Proctor, the signatures are adding up.

“I’ve signed the petition to call us into special session, and I know many of my colleagues have,” said Proctor. “What I’m hearing from the Senate President is that the Senate is very close to gathering the signatures.”

The Republicans are targeting the seat of the state’s lone Democratic U.S Representative Sharice Davids. They are hoping that by redistricting the state’s 3rd congressional district, Republicans will be able to pick up another seat ahead of next year’s midterm election.

“This is very important to Kansas, it’s very important to the White House too,” said Proctor. “So, I would expect that any folks that are reluctant to sign are probably going to be getting a phone call from a very important person who is very interested in us riding the ship and making sure that we have fair representation in Kansas that reflects the will of the voters.”

Democratic leaders in Kansas have spoken out against this, stating that redistricting is unconstitutional, and silences democratic voters in Kansas.

Republicans are hoping to begin the session on Nov. 7th.

For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.