Protect Fair Courts in Kansas
Vote NO on August 4, 2026
Kansas already gives voters a voice through retention elections. This amendment would replace our current merit-based system with direct judicial elections, bringing more campaign money and political pressure into our courts.
What does this Amendment do?
Right now, Kansas Supreme Court justices are chosen through a merit-based process. A nominating commission reviews applicants, sends qualified finalists to the governor, and the governor appoints one justice. After serving for at least one year, that justice must stand before Kansas voters in a retention election.
This amendment would abolish that nominating commission and replace the current system with direct elections for Kansas Supreme Court justices.
Why We Oppose
The Miami County Democrats oppose the proposed constitutional amendment to replace Kansas’ current Supreme Court selection process with direct elections.
We believe democracy depends on fair, independent courts. Kansas already has a strong system that balances qualified review with voter accountability: justices are screened through a nominating commission, appointed by the governor from qualified finalists, and then must face voters in a retention election after serving at least one year.
That is the right balance. It lets voters judge a justice’s actual record while helping protect our courts from campaign money, partisan pressure, and outside influence. We believe Kansas’ current system is strong, accountable, and worth protecting.
Our courts should be balanced, fair, and free of big political spending.
We urge Kansans to VOTE NO to protect fair and independent courts.
Who Opposes this Amendment?
Kansas Bar Association / Kansas attorneys
Kansas lawyers have opposed this change because they believe Supreme Court justices should be evaluated for legal experience, fairness, temperament, and qualifications before reaching the bench. The Kansas Bar Association has argued that replacing merit selection with statewide elections would shift the focus toward campaign skill and fundraising instead of legal ability. Read More
ACLU of Kansas
The ACLU of Kansas opposes the amendment because courts should remain independent and able to rule based on law, not political pressure. They warn that judicial elections can invite outside money and turn courts into another political battlefield. Read their Blog Post
Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice
Kansas Appleseed has been educating voters about how Kansas’ current system has protected fair and impartial courts for decades. Their concern is that changing the system could weaken judicial independence and make justice more vulnerable to politics and money. Check out their information.
Educators and public school advocates
Groups including the Kansas Association of School Boards and American Federation of Teachers-Kansas have opposed the amendment. Public education advocates have a strong interest in fair courts because Kansas courts have played an important role in protecting constitutional obligations, including school funding and equal treatment under the law.
Kansans who voted NO on Value Them Both
In 2022, Kansas voters rejected Value Them Both and chose not to remove constitutional protection for abortion rights. Many of those same voters may see this judicial amendment as part of a broader effort to politicize the courts after politicians disagreed with court rulings on reproductive freedom. We believe one long-term goal of politicizing Kansas courts is to weaken or end abortion protections in Kansas.
“Judges are not politicians, even when they come to the bench by way of the ballot.”
— Justice Sandra Day O’Connor
“This is a blatant power grab…”
-Micah Kubic of the ACLU
“It's simple. If you voted no in August 2022, vote no in August 2026.”
-Elena Super, Miami County Democrats
Host a yard sign!
Help us spread the word in Miami County! Hosting a yard sign is one simple way to remind neighbors that a YES vote changes the system, and a NO vote keeps the current system.
Sign up to host a Vote NO / Protect Fair Courts yard sign and help defend fair, independent courts in Kansas.
Call
(913) 557-0260
info@miamicoksdems.org
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© 2026. All rights reserved. Paid for by the Miami County Kansas Democratic Central Committee. Charlie Brand, Treasurer. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
