Early in‑person voting began Saturday, Oct. 17, and Johnson County residents can cast advance ballots through Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3. In addition to a high‑profile U.S. Senate race and the Prairie Village mayoral contest, the ballot includes 18 judicial retention votes that will determine whether current judges keep their positions.
What Is a Judicial Retention Vote?
Judicial retention questions appear near the end of the ballot as a simple “Yes” or “No” choice next to each judge’s name. Voters are not asked to choose between candidates; instead, they decide whether a judge should continue serving. All judges listed have been appointed by the governor or by nominating commissions, and the retention vote gives the public a direct say in their performance.
How Judges Are Evaluated
The Kansas Bar Association and the Johnson County Bar Association conduct surveys of their members to assess each judge’s competence, fairness, and overall performance. The associations then publish ratings that indicate whether they recommend retention. Links to the full Kansas Bar Association ratings for Supreme Court and Court of Appeals judges, as well as the Johnson County Bar Association’s evaluations for district and magistrate judges, are provided on the Johnson County Post website.
Where to Vote and How to Vote
Advance voting locations are open throughout the county, and secure drop‑box sites are available for mail‑in ballots. Voters who prefer to vote on Election Day can find their polling place by checking the Johnson County elections website or using the state’s voter lookup tool.
Why This Matters to Families and Communities
Judges play a crucial role in interpreting laws that affect families, churches, and local businesses. Their decisions can impact everything from property rights to parental authority in education matters. By participating in the retention vote, Johnson County residents help ensure that the judiciary reflects the community’s values and upholds the Constitution.
Additional Ballot Items
Beyond the judicial retention questions, the Nov. 3 ballot includes a constitutional amendment that would limit voting in Kansas elections to citizens only. Voters also will decide on local offices such as the Prairie Village mayor, county commissioners, and various city council seats.
Resources for Voters
The Johnson County Post has compiled election primers for each race, offering concise overviews of candidates’ positions on issues that matter to our readers. These guides are available online and can help voters make informed choices at the polls.
For more detailed information on the judicial retention ratings, visit the Kansas Bar Association’s website or the Johnson County Bar Association’s evaluation pages. If you have questions about voting locations, ballot procedures, or the upcoming amendment, contact the Johnson County Elections Office.
Original reporting: Johnson County Post (Overland Park) — read the source article.
