Douglas County Democrats
What's on the ballot in 2026?
What's on the ballot in 2026?
Important Election Dates in 2026
August 4, 2026: Primary Election
Constitutional Amendment Ballot Question: Election of Kansas Supreme Court Justices - VOTE NO
November 3, 2026: General Election
Kansas Governor: (4 Year Term)
Kansas Attorney General: (4 Year Term)
United States Senator: (6 Year Term)
Explanatory statement: 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 the next even-year election for the remainder of that term 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.
ACLU KANSAS: VOTE NO SUMMARY AND TALKING POINTS
OPPONENTS
American Federation of Teachers-Kansas
ACLU of Kansas
Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice
Kansas Association of School Boards
Kansas Bar Association
Kansas Women Attorneys Association
Loud Light Civic Action
Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes
Explanatory statement: The measure would amend Section 1 of Article 5 of the Kansas Constitution to specify that in order to vote in Kansas, individuals must be citizens, at least 18 years old, and a resident of the area in which the person is seeking to vote in. Currently, the constitution says, "Every citizen of the United States who has attained the age of eighteen years and who resides in the voting area in which he or she seeks to vote shall be deemed a qualified elector."
A "yes" vote supports amending the state constitution to state that only a citizen of the United States is eligible to vote.
A "no" vote opposes amending the state constitution to state that only a citizen of the United States is eligible to vote.
The amendment is opposed by the ACLU of Kansas, the League of Women Voters of Kansas, and Loud Light Civic Action. Rashane Hamby, director of policy and research for the ACLU of Kansas: "The language in HCR 5004 could be weaponized to justify a return to restrictive voter registration laws, as it explicitly conditions voter eligibility on U.S. citizenship, despite no evidence of noncitizen voting in Kansas elections. Furthermore, the amendment’s reference to "laws of this state relating to voting for presidential electors" could allow legislators to tighten residency requirements or impose further barriers under the pretense of aligning with federal law. ... This constitutional amendment changes the language of the Kansas constitution from the federal default standard promoting everyone one who fits the following criteria are able to vote, to only those who fit these criteria may vote. This subtle but dangerous distinction promotes voter suppression through its exclusionary tone, instead of inclusionary and default language." BALLOTPEDIA
The Douglas County Democrats value and work for:
Affordable Health Care for All
Funding Public Education
Fair Tax System
Living Wage
Protecting the Environment and Safeguarding our Climate
Diversity, Equal Rights, Human Dignity
Protecing Voting Rights
Transparent and Truthful Government