Submitted

The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature (KSHL) has released a new, nonpartisan resource to help communities remove one of the most common barriers to senior voting: transportation.

The guide, Creating a Voting Transportation Program, provides step-by-step guidance for cities, counties, Area Agencies on Aging, and community organizations to develop local ride programs that help seniors get to the polls during early voting and on Election Day.

Transportation challenges — especially in rural and underserved areas — can prevent older Kansans from participating fully in elections. The new toolkit outlines practical solutions that can be adapted to communities of any size.

“Transportation should never be the reason a senior cannot vote,” said Leroy Burton, Speaker of the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature. “This guide gives communities a simple roadmap to partner locally and remove that barrier.”

KSHL identifies voting access as a 2026 priority, alongside senior transportation, property tax relief, and preservation of Medicaid and food assistance programs. The organization advocates for policies that ensure older Kansans can remain engaged, independent and active in their communities.

The guide is free and designed to be implemented locally through partnerships among civic groups, faith communities, senior centers, transit providers, and local governments. Link to the guide is https://www.kansas-shl.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Voting-Transportation-Program-2026-2.pdf.

Why this matters locally: In communities across Kansas, limited transportation options — especially for seniors who no longer drive — can mean missed opportunities to vote. Programs like coordinated rides, volunteer driver networks and partnerships with transit providers can dramatically increase turnout while strengthening community connections.