The 2026 Kansas Primary - Tuesday, Aug. 4

Election of Supreme Court Justices

Ballot Language:

This amendment gives the voters the right to elect the justices of the Kansas Supreme Court. The justices shall serve terms of six years, with the elections of justice positions 1, 2, and 3 to occur in 2028, positions 4 and 5 to occur in 2030, and positions 6 and 7 to occur in 2032, and every six years thereafter. The rules applicable for such elections and the designation of position numbers shall be provided by law. Any vacancy on the court for an unexpired term shall be filled at an election as provided by law.

A vote for this proposition would give Kansas citizens the right to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices as provided by law. Justices will hold office for terms of six years. The Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission, whose membership consists of a majority of lawyers, would be abolished.

A vote against this proposition would continue the current system in which the Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission, whose membership consists of a majority of lawyers, provides the governor a list of three individuals to choose from for vacancies on the Kansas Supreme Court. Justices hold office for a term of six years and retain their offices if they win a retention election in which they do not face an opponent.