SCR 1611 — Judicial Selection Amendment
Kansas currently selects Supreme Court justices through a merit-based "Missouri Plan" system: a nominating commission screens applicants and sends a list to the governor, who appoints one. After a year, the justice faces a non-competitive retention vote by voters. The governor also appoints some members of the nominating commission. SCR 1611 would replace that system with direct partisan elections for Supreme Court justices.
- Voters would have a direct say in who serves on the state's highest court.
- Elected judges would be more accountable to the public than appointed ones.
- Proponents argue the current nominating commission lacks sufficient democratic input.
- Judicial elections could expose justices to pressure from wealthy special-interest donors.
- Merit selection was designed to insulate courts from partisan politics.
- Opponents note some proponents have linked the amendment to changing the court's 2019 abortion ruling.
This is a Yes/No vote appearing on the August 4 primary ballot for all registered Kansas voters. The amendment requires a majority of votes cast to pass.
About this measure
SCR 1611 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would change how Kansas selects its Supreme Court justices. Currently, Kansas uses a merit-based "Missouri Plan" system: a nominating commission screens applicants and sends finalists to the governor, who appoints one. After one year, the justice faces a non-competitive retention vote by voters. The amendment would replace that system with direct partisan elections.
How it gets on the ballot
The Kansas Legislature passed SCR 1611. The measure appears on the August 4, 2026 primary ballot for all registered Kansas voters. It requires a majority of votes cast to pass. Approval would apply to future Supreme Court justice selections.
Sources
- Ballotpedia — Kansas 2026 ballot measures
- KCUR — Proposed constitutional amendment would put abortion back on the Kansas ballot
- Kansas Reflector — Abortion rights advocate hoping for encore defeat of constitutional amendment in August vote
- Kansas Reflector — Legislature votes to reject governor's veto of tax trigger bill (context on legislative session)
- Kansas Secretary of State Elections Division — official election information
Last verified against sources: July 31, 2026.