Kansas Constitution Article Nine - County and Township Organization
Kansas Constitution – Article Nine: County and Township Organization – Summary
Article Nine of the Kansas Constitution deals with the organization and governance of counties and townships within the state. Here’s a breakdown of its key points:
Key Provisions of Article Nine:
Creation and Alteration of Counties (§1):
The legislature has the authority to establish new counties and alter existing county boundaries.
However, no new county shall be created with less than 432 square miles, and no existing county can be reduced below this size.
County Seats (§2):
Relocation of a county seat (the administrative center of a county) must be approved by a majority of voters in the county during a general election.
This ensures local control over county governance hubs.
Township Organization (§3):
Counties may be divided into townships for better local administration.
Townships can exercise powers granted by the legislature.
Home Rule for Counties (§4):
Counties have home rule powers, allowing them to govern themselves in local matters, unless specifically restricted by state law.
The legislature may limit or revoke this authority but must do so through general law (not targeting specific counties).
Purpose and Significance:
Promotes local self-governance while maintaining state oversight.
Sets minimum standards for county size and structure.
Protects democratic input on critical local decisions, like county seat location.
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