Third-party United Kansas registered in Kansas after gathering nearly 20,000 signatures

United Kansas met the requirements to become a registered political party in the state, one of only three minor political parties active in the state, according to the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office.

The party started canvassing for supporters two months ago to get to the statutorily required 19,548 signatures, or 2% of the total votes cast during the last gubernatorial election. United Kansas follows No Labels Kansas, which was recognized in January as a minor party, and the Libertarian Party of Kansas, which has been recognized since 1992.

The party says its mission is “to unite Kansas under shared values and common goals” and that it values multiparty dialogue, grassroots community efforts and inclusivity for all Kansans. It says its key issues are fostering business-friendly environments, affordable health care, quality education and continuous funding, fostering civic engagement, infrastructure modernization and environmental protection.

In a letter on its website, United Kansas’s party chair Jack Curtis advocates for fusion voting to transform the Democratic process to make it more collaborative.

“By allowing them to cross-nominate candidates, we ensure that these parties have a genuine stake in the electoral process rather than be sidelined as a potential spoiler. This not only amplifies diverse voices but also encourages major parties to adopt more moderate and inclusive stances, leading to a more balanced political environment,” Curtis wrote.

Curtis is joined in party leadership by vice chair Sally Cauble, a former Republican State Board of Education member, and treasurer Aaron Estabrook, an Independent former member of the Manhattan City Commission and USD 383 Board of Education.

The party will be able to select candidates for the November elections through a convention or caucus by June 3. It will be able to hold statewide primaries for office if its candidate for governor gets more than 5% of the vote statewide.