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Kansas Voters Reject Amendment 1, Keep Merit-Based Court Appointments

8/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Kansas voters rejected Amendment 1, with 124,020 “no” votes and 52,230 “yes” votes.
The defeat preserves the merit-based appointment system used by the Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission since 1958.
Had it passed, the amendment would have eliminated the commission and required statewide elections for justices beginning in 2028, with staggered races through 2032.

History

Historical Context

Missouri’s 1940 ‘Missouri Plan’ created a five-member merit commission, winning 70 % voter approval that year and ending partisan judicial elections. Kansas adopted a similar commission in 1958. In November 2024 Kansas voters rejected Amendment 1, which would have replaced its commission with elections, thereby preserving the merit-based system pioneered by Missouri over eight decades ago.

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Story summary

Kansas voters rejected Amendment 1, with 124,020 “no” votes and 52,230 “yes” votes.
The defeat preserves the merit-based appointment system used by the Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission since 1958.
Had it passed, the amendment would have eliminated the commission and required statewide elections for justices beginning in 2028, with staggered races through 2032.

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