The city of Prairie Village recently became the second Johnson County city to voice support for an effort to make statewide Spanish language voting materials available at the polls.
On Monday, the Prairie Village City Council voted 8-2 to approve a resolution — brought forth by the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas — that calls on the Secretary of State and the Johnson County Election Office to translate voting materials into Spanish.
The city of Roeland Park was the first Johnson County city to back this ACLU resolution with a unanimous vote in September. For the November election, Roeland Park also provided Spanish interpreters at the city’s polling sites.
ACLU, JoCo Election Commissioner at odds on resolution
Logan DeMond, the director of policy and research for the ACLU of Kansas, told the city council on Monday that the resolution is non-binding but shows the city’s support for breaking down barriers for eligible voters.
DeMond encouraged the city council to approve the resolution that he said “sends a powerful message in a time of great uncertainty and unprecedented threats to our democracy.”
DeMond said the ACLU of Kansas is “puzzled by the audacious criticisms … and the fear-mongering” response from people who oppose expanding voting materials to include Spanish-language options statewide.
The resolution itself specifically calls for the Secretary of State and the Johnson County Election Office to work together on the following:
- Provide, upon request, Spanish-language voting materials like ballots or sample ballots at in-person polling places and via advance voting beginning in 2026
- Make all Johnson County Election Office materials and online content available in Spanish
- Offer both printed and online materials in English and Spanish that lets voters know of their right to bring a translator to polling places
Johnson County Election Commissioner Fred Sherman asked the city council to vote no on the resolution.
Sherman said the city of Prairie Village itself does not administer elections and, therefore, has no real authority over this issue. He said this is something that needs to be changed through the state legislature.
“It’s an admirable goal, but it is not something to be implemented through local legislation,” Sherman said.
Instead, Sherman suggested that the city council take action similar to that of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners and put this on the city’s 2026 legislative platform.
Council supports Spanish-language materials
Generally, the city council and residents who spoke about the resolution supported the idea to expand voting materials to include Spanish options.
Ward 5 Councilmember Betsy Lawrence said that while she recognizes Commissioner Sherman’s concerns about authority, she believes the resolution simply advocates support for his office and the Secretary of State to work together on this issue.
“When someone votes, I think it’s in all of our best interests to ensure that that voter is informed,” Lawrence said. “If a voter needs assistance in Spanish or another language in order to properly be an informed voter — we’ve already determined they’re eligible to vote — I am fully in support of that.”
Councilmember Ian Graves echoed Lawrence’s comments, adding that Johnson County’s Spanish-speaking population is greater than the Spanish-speaking communities in counties across Kansas that are federally required to offer Spanish-language voting materials.
Ward 4 Councilmember Nathan Vallette said he doesn’t see the risk in approving the resolution, especially if the community supports it.
Councilmember Terry O’Toole, who cast one of the two dissenting votes, said he is concerned after reading Sherman’s email to the city council.
That email, in part, noted that elections are governed by state and federal law, and actions outside of that can create legal risks, O’Toole said. He said he would support putting this issue on the city’s legislative platform instead of passing the resolution.
The city council approved the resolution in a 8-2 vote, with Councilmembers Tyler Agniel and O’Toole casting the dissenting votes. Councilmembers Lori Sharp and Nick Reddell were absent.
Next steps:
- This is likely to appear in other parts of Johnson County as the ACLU of Kansas is seeking support for the resolution from other municipalities as well.
- The Unified Government of Kansas City, Kansas, and Wyandotte County approved a similar resolution in November 2024.
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