When Kansas voters head to the polls this November, they will encounter a long list of judges on their ballot. These so‑called “retention elections” ask a straightforward yes‑or‑no question: Should each judge keep their job for another term?
What’s on the ballot?
Voters will see retention questions for three main categories of judges:
- State Supreme Court justices (seven seats)
- Court of Appeals judges (14 seats)
- District court judges (varying by county)
Johnson County voters will also see one magistrate judge.
How judges are selected in Kansas
The Kansas Supreme Court is composed of seven justices appointed by the governor from a list prepared by the nonpartisan Supreme Court Nominating Commission. The Court of Appeals, an intermediate court, has 14 members who are likewise nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Kansas Senate. District court judges are selected differently depending on the county. In Wyandotte County they are elected directly, while in Johnson County they are appointed by the governor after a nominating commission’s recommendation and then face retention votes.
Retention versus election
In August 2026, Kansans rejected a constitutional amendment that would have allowed direct election of Supreme Court judges, with 60% voting “no.” The current system keeps the governor’s appointment power but gives voters a say after the judge’s first year on the bench. A “yes” vote means the judge continues serving; a “no” vote triggers a new gubernatorial appointment, followed by Senate confirmation and a one‑year term before the next retention vote.
Terms and thresholds
Supreme Court justices serve six‑year terms, while Court of Appeals and district court judges serve four‑year terms. To retain a seat, a judge must earn a simple majority of “yes” votes. If a judge fails to secure that majority, they are removed when their term ends in January, and the governor must nominate a replacement.
Performance ratings
The Kansas Bar Association conducts a performance review for every judge on the statewide ballot, based on surveys of lawyers who have worked with them. All seven statewide judges received retention scores of 75% or higher, and both Supreme Court justices earned scores above 88% on a 0‑to‑100 scale.
Who’s on the Supreme Court ballot?
The two Supreme Court justices up for retention are Chief Justice Eric Rosen, appointed by former Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius in 2005, and Justice Larkin Walsh, appointed by current Democratic Governor Laura Kelly in 2025. Although both were selected by Democratic governors, they were chosen from a nonpartisan commission’s list.
Why retention matters to Kansas families
Retention elections give voters a direct voice in maintaining a qualified, nonpartisan judiciary that upholds constitutional principles. For families concerned about stable legal interpretations that affect education, property rights and community safety, a “yes” vote supports continuity and experience on the bench.
How to vote
Retention questions appear at the end of the ballot. Voters simply mark “yes” to keep a judge or “no” to remove them. The Kansas Secretary of State’s website provides sample ballots and instructions for all counties.
For more detailed information on each judge’s performance review, visit the Kansas Bar Association’s website or your county election office.
Original reporting: The Beacon (Kansas City) — read the source article.
