Kansas Elections for Supreme Court Justices Amendment

Kansas Elections for Supreme Court Justices Amendment

August 20, 2026

Elections for Supreme Court Justices Amendment

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 20, 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]

References

1. "Plan to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices scrutinized by critics, including court's former chief". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
2. "Voters would elect Kansas Supreme Court justices under proposed change". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
3. "Kansas Voters Will Decide Whether to Hold Open Elections for State Supreme Court". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
4. "Voters will decide how to pick Kansas Supreme Court justices. But how many will cast a ballot?". KCUR 89.3. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
5. Mesa, Blaise. "Republicans redouble push to change Kansas Supreme Court selection process". The Beacon. Retrieved 6 July 2025.