TOPEKA, Kansas (AP) — A group that effectively overturned an anti-abortion voting measure in Kansas has initiated a federal lawsuit against a new state law designed to mitigate foreign influence in elections, claiming it infringes upon their right to free speech and hampers future campaign efforts.
Kansans for Constitutional Freedom contends that the law, set to take effect on July 1st, is a direct reaction to the overwhelming outcome of Statewide Voting in August 2022 against proposed amendments to the Kansas Constitution that would enable Congress to impose significant restrictions or bans on abortion. The group spearheaded the “no” campaign, with funding linked to the largest single donor, 16 30 funds associated with Hanjorg Vis, a Swiss billionaire residing in Wyoming known for his backing of progressive causes.
The Kansas group filed its lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Kansas on Friday.
“Kansas has imposed a series of unacceptable, overloaded, and vague restrictions on matters of public interest and discourse, which obscure the critical policy issues of our time,” the lawsuit claims.
The law is set to be enacted less than a year after Ohio moved to prohibit foreign funds in elections. Kansas legislators received testimony from Ohio Republican Secretary Frank LaRose and a conservative group earlier this year. Vis was specifically mentioned as a reason for Kansas to establish its own regulations.
Multiple groups and individuals hastily filed a lawsuit against Ohio’s law, yet in October, the federal appellate court allowed Ohio to implement it prior to the trial.
While federal law prohibits foreign contributions to campaigns and political committees, the new Kansas statute forbids groups campaigning either for or against state constitutional amendments from accepting “direct or indirect” donations from the public. Furthermore, they must demonstrate that none of their donors have received more than $100,000 from foreign sources over the past four years; violations can result in a ban from elections for four years.
Kansans for Constitutional Freedom has expressed intentions to propose an amendment to the state constitution in 2026 that would alter the process for appointing justices of the state Supreme Court, suggesting they should be elected instead. The group views this measure as an assault on the independence of the judiciary.
The organization raised close to $11 million to defeat anti-abortion measures in 2022, with nearly $1.5 million coming from 16 30 funds, according to campaign finance reports.
The new Kansas law passed through a Republican-controlled legislature with the substantial majority needed to override a veto. Democratic Governor Laura Kelly labeled the measure “excessive,” but allowed it to become law without her signature.
Kansas Attorney General Chris Kobach, a Republican also named as a defendant in the lawsuit alongside members of the state ethics committee, highlighted the bipartisan support for the law.
“Both Republicans and Democrats agree that when constitutional reforms in Kansas are presented to voters, foreign entities should not influence the outcomes,” Kobach stated on Monday. “This is a fundamental principle of sovereignty.”
In enabling Ohio to enforce its law, the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals noted that concerns about foreign influence in elections “date back to its founding,” referencing George Washington’s farewell speech as the first President.
“Ohio and its representatives have a compelling interest in regulating such influences,” the majority opinion stated.
However, Kansas’ law restricts advocacy groups by forbidding the acceptance of federal funds and necessitating avoidance of donations from U.S. citizens if they receive adequate foreign contributions. The lawsuit further claims that these restrictions infringe upon the free speech rights protected by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
“There is no justification for requiring donors to disclose detailed and sensitive information regarding their funding sources,” the lawsuit asserts.
Source: apnews.com