2026 Kansas Elections for Supreme Court Justices Amendment
August 20, 2026
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Elections for Supreme Court Justices Amendment |
| Elections in Kansas |
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The Elections for Supreme Court Justices Amendment is a legislatively referred constitutional amendment that will appear on the ballot of the U.S. state of Kansas on August 4, 2026.[1]
Background
Justices on the Kansas Supreme Court are currently appointed by the Governor of Kansas through recommendations by the Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission.[2] The amendment would create partisan elections and six-year terms for justices, to be voted on statewide.[3] It has been criticized for the impact it will have on the impartiality of justices elected to the court.[4] It passed the legislature with the support of Republicans.[5]
Endorsements
Yes
- Statewide officials
- Kris Kobach, attorney general of Kansas (2023–present) (Republican)[6]
- Anthony Powell, solicitor general of Kansas (2022–present) (Libertarian)[6]
- Bob Edmunds, former associate justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court (2001–2017) (Republican)[6]
- State legislators
- Ty Masterson, president of the Kansas Senate (2021–present) from the 16th district (2009–present) (Republican)[6]
- Organizations
- Political parties
No
- Statewide officials
- Carol Beier, former justice of the Kansas Supreme Court (2003–2020) (Nonpartisan)[6]
- Labor unions
- Organizations
References
- ^ "Plan to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices scrutinized by critics, including court's former chief". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ "Voters would elect Kansas Supreme Court justices under proposed change". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ "Kansas Voters Will Decide Whether to Hold Open Elections for State Supreme Court". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ "Voters will decide how to pick Kansas Supreme Court justices. But how many will cast a ballot?". KCUR 89.3. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ Mesa, Blaise. "Republicans redouble push to change Kansas Supreme Court selection process". The Beacon. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Kansas Elections for Supreme Court Justices Amendment (August 2026)". Ballotpedia.
- ^ Matejkowski, Alina (April 3, 2025). "Let's Talk About the Judicial Selection Amendment". ACLU Kansas. Retrieved 21 September 2025.