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23h ago

Kansas Voters Decide Whether to Elect State Supreme Court Justices

Ending the nominating commission would replace appointments with statewide elections that invite large outside spending, potentially reshaping rulings on abortion, education and voting.

The fate of Kansas Supreme Court judicial selections will be in the hands of the voters on Aug. 4.
A sign encourages voters to reject a proposal to change how Kanas Supreme Court justices are seated in Topeka, Kan., on Thursday, July 30, 2026. (AP Photo/John Hanna)
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Overview

  • Kansas voters will decide the ballot question on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, that would scrap the nine-member nominating commission and move to direct, statewide elections for the state Supreme Court.
  • More than $12 million has flowed into the fight from national and state groups on both sides, with major donations coming from Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, Americans for Prosperity and organizations tied to Leonard Leo.
  • Supporters say elections would make the court accountable and aim to build a conservative, anti-abortion majority by 2033 using a schedule that would first put three seats up in 2028 and the rest in 2030 and 2032.
  • Opponents warn the change would politicize the judiciary by inviting large campaign spending, let the Republican-led Legislature set election rules, and could set a national example for overturning appointment systems.
  • Kansas has used the current governor-appointment system since 1958, where a nominating commission sends three finalists to the governor and voters see only yes-or-no retention votes that have never removed a justice.