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Dear Friends,
On Tuesday, August 4, Primary Election Day, Kansas voters will do their civic duty and vote! In this newsletter we provide our Primary Candidate Questionnaire with candidates for federal office. In August Kansas voters will also decide whether to amend the Kansas Constitution to change how Kansas Supreme Court justices are selected. Women for Kansas strongly encourages you to Vote No. Constitutional amendments often receive less attention than candidate races, but they can have lasting effects on how state government operates.
This edition is dedicated to understanding the primary elections and the proposed amendment, including how the current justice selection system works, what would change with the amendment, and where you can find reliable information to make your own informed decision.
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W4K 2026 Primary Candidates for Federal Office Questionnaire
In order to provide Kansas voters with more information about Primary Candidates in 2026, Women for Kansas distributed a short questionnaire to all non-incumbent candidates (regardless of party affiliation) running for federal office. Read their responses and compare candidates as you prepare for the primary election.
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How Does Kansas Select Supreme Court Justices Today?
Kansas has used a merit-based selection system for Supreme Court justices since 1958 (which was implemented because of corruption). Under the current process, a nominating commission made up of lawyers and non-lawyers reviews applications, interviews candidates, and recommends three finalists to the governor. The governor appoints one of those finalists to serve on the Court. In fact, the Nominating Commission has been hard at work in the last several months, which you can watch on their YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@KansasJudicialBranch/featured).
After serving for at least one year, the justice appears on the ballot in a retention election, where voters decide whether the justice should remain in office.
Supporters of the current system say it ensures justices have professional legal qualifications and rule independently, based on the facts of each case . Critics argue that voters should directly elect justices, just like members of the Kansas legislature, who are not required to have any specific professional qualifications and can take campaign donations from many individuals and corporations.
Learn more:
https://ballotpedia.org/Kansas_Elections_for_Supreme_Court_Justices_Amendment_(August_2026)
Read the amendment:
https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1611/
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What Would the August Vote Change?
If approved by voters, the August amendment (also known as SCR 1611) would replace the current merit selection process with direct elections for Kansas Supreme Court justices.
Fact: This would make judges be politicians, something that will now buy and sell your rights in the courtroom and inevitably grow the attacks on public school funding, voting rights, abortion and reproductive healthcare in Kansas.
Rather than being appointed by the governor from a list of qualified nominees, candidates would campaign for election in statewide races. Details of how those elections would be administered are outlined in the proposed constitutional amendment and implementing legislation.
This needs to change because 1611 does not specify a statewide race – here is a proposal:
Rather than being appointed by the governor from a list of qualified nominees, candidates would campaign for election, The details of how those elections would be administered is not outlined except for stating that justice positions 1, 2, and 3 would be elected in November 2028; positions 4 and 5 would be elected in November 30; and positions 6 and 7 would be elected in November 2032.
For many voters, the central talking points are focused around whether judicial elections or merit selection better promote accountability, independence, and public confidence in the courts.
Read the proposal:
https://www.kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/scr1611/
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Questions to Consider Before Voting
As you evaluate the amendment, consider asking yourself:
- How should judges be held accountable to the public?
- What role, if any, should campaign fundraising play in judicial elections?
- How important is judicial independence when courts decide constitutional questions?
- What qualifications should be expected of Kansas Supreme Court justices?
- Which selection method is most likely to promote public confidence in the judiciary?
There is no substitute for reading multiple perspectives before making your decision.
| Logan Stenseng, Kansas Appleseed, provides information about the upcoming ballot amendment on June 8, during the presentation - "The Future of Kansas Courts: Know Before You Vote Aug. 4 - hosted by the W4K Barton County Chapter. Judge Karen Arnold-Burger provided background on the change to a merit-based selection system for Kansas Supreme Court Justices in 1958 due to corruption and provided a point-by-point synopsis on why changing to a partisan election process would negatively impact Kansans. Stenseng also provided literature supporting a "no" vote on the amendment. | |
How Different Organizations Explain the Amendment
Several Kansas organizations have published educational materials about the amendment. While they approach the issue from different perspectives, each provides information that can help voters better understand the proposal.
Kansas Appleseed provides multiple discussions and analyses of the amendment (including with citations) so voters understand the consequences of this amendment.
https://www.kansasappleseed.org/our-courts-are-not-for-sale/
Kansas Court Facts explains how the current merit selection process works, reviews frequently asked questions, and discusses the potential implications of changing to judicial elections.
https://kansascourtfacts.com/
Kansans United for Impartial Courts (KUIC) offers educational resources about the history of Kansas courts, judicial independence, and the proposed amendment.
https://kuic.org/
The ACLU of Kansas explains the amendment through the lens of constitutional structure, judicial independence, and separation of powers.
https://www.aclukansas.org/publications/lets-talk-about-the-judicial-selection-amendment/
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Support the work!
Women for Kansas is powered by people who care about this state and the future we are building together. Every conversation, event, and outreach effort depends on grassroots support, and that work is especially critical right now. While one-time gifts make a difference, recurring donations provide the steady, reliable foundation needed to plan ahead, stay engaged in communities, and respond when it matters most. A monthly contribution at any level helps turn momentum into lasting impact and ensures this work continues beyond any single moment.
If you believe in informed voters and strong communities, a recurring gift is one of the most meaningful ways to support Women for Kansas and keep that work moving forward.
Ways to give:
https://womenforkansas.org/ways_to_give/
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Read Beyond Headlines
One of the best ways to become an informed voter is to compare multiple credible sources. Look for original documents, constitutional language, legislative history, and explanations from organizations with different viewpoints.
Ask questions. Attend or stream community forums. Read the amendment yourself. Seek out information from organizations you trust, but also take time to understand perspectives that differ from your own.
An informed electorate strengthens our democracy, regardless of how individual voters ultimately cast their ballots.
https://www.kansasappleseed.org/our-courts-are-not-for-sale/
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W4K Barton County Chapter co-hosted "Mapping the Gap", with the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas and the League of Women Voters, of Great Bend - Barton County, on June 11. The textile work represents Kansans' experiences with the Kansas health care system, including many who live in the coverage gap without health care access. Pictured with the completed artwork are W4K Barton County Chapter members who traveled to Lucas in June 2025 to participate in the project - Pam Martin, Christina Lamoureaux, Janice Walker and Dolores Baker - with Masara Al-Sharieh, Alliance for a Healthy Kansas Community Organizer.
They also met June 21 to write postcards urging voters to "VOTE NO" on the ballot amendment that would change the current merit-based system to partisan elections for choosing Kansas Supreme Court justices. So far the group has written and mailed 300 postcards. One member's message read: "Please join me in voting NO Aug. 4th to changing the way Kansas Supreme Court justices are selected. The current appointment process ensures qualified and impartial justices. Election will enable billionaires and corporations/big money to influence judges, so VOTE NO"!
| Wichita's W4K distributed VOTE NO yard signs and encouraged folks to Vote NO on the constitutional amendment on the August 4 Primary ballot at the 49th annual July 4th breakfast and children's parade in Central Riverside Park July 4th. Pictured are L-R Rep KC Ohaebosi, Lt Governor candidate with Governor candidate Cindy Holscher, Jan Manlove, Mary Knecht, Senator Silas Miller, 25th District who represents the Riverside neighbors and his 2 year old puppy. In front is Barbara Coats. A FUN time was had by all, including the three dinos! | | |
Kobach Doesn’t Understand Medicine and Attacks Everyone’s Healthcare (again)
Many people mistakenly believe that abortion and contraception healthcare only impact a narrow set of medical situations. Wrong! Not only is reproduction extremely complicated (for example, abortion care is needed to treat miscarriages), but many medications are used in numerous healthcare contexts. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach’s attacks on mifepristone also harms treatment of Cushing’s syndrome. Read more in this Reflector article.
Learn more here:
https://kansasreflector.com/2026/06/26/kansas-ags-proposed-restriction-on-mifepristone-would-impact-more-than-abortion-patients/
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Nonpartisan Tools
If you want reliable, nonpartisan tracking on bills tied to core W4K priorities (taxes and budget, elections, Medicaid expansion, judicial selection, school funding, separation of powers), check out these resources!
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For the most current Kansas updates, the Governor’s press release page is updated frequently. | | |
Governor Kelly “Kansan to Kansan” and Kansas Updates
If you like a straightforward weekly roundup from the Governor’s office, the “Kansan to Kansan” newsletters are archived through the state’s GovDelivery bulletins.
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Kansas Appleseed: Democracy, Courts, and Voting Rights
Kansas Appleseed continues to provide Kansas-focused research and advocacy on judicial independence and the 2026 amendment, including educational resources and toolkits.
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Kansas Rural Center: Rural Issues, Water, Local Food, and Policy Watch
Kansas Rural Center’s Policy Watch tracks Topeka decisions affecting the environment, water conservation and quality, diversified agriculture, rural communities, and local and regional food systems. They also publish weekly session updates and a way to subscribe.
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League of Women Voters of Kansas
The League of Women Voters of Kansas is a nonpartisan, grassroots nonprofit dedicated to empowering everyone to fully participate in our democracy.
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WHY VOTE NO? Dr. Castle will speak on two proposed constitutional amendments—one on the Aug. 4 primary ballot regarding Kansas Supreme Court justice selection, and another on the Nov. 3 general election ballot addressing citizenship and voting. Join us to learn how these changes could impact our courts and voting rights, and how to support fair elections and an impartial judiciary.
Amii Castle is a law professor at KU, where she teaches a variety of classes, including Constitutional Law through KU’s political science department. Before teaching at KU, Amii practiced law for two decades in downtown Kansas City.
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It’s been four years since the Dobbs decision that took away the rights of so many Americans.
Kansans stood up in 2022 and defended those rights. We must do so again. Vote NO on August 4 to defend our court and our rights.
Watch Here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DtRGH71Es/
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Freedom Fest 2026 went on despite the rain in Lawrence! The Persisters kicked off the event, singing classic protest songs, like If I Had a Hammer, and We Shall not be Moved. Natalie Weiss read excerpts from the Declaration of Independence. Wayne Ricks spoke about our progress and remaining civil rights challenges.
Jeanne Klein remembered Abigail Adams’ challenge to her husband, “Remember the ladies!” Klein mentioned women who have broken through glass ceilings and led the charge for Women’s rights. Rev. Nori Rost said “the future is not set”. Emcee Amii Castle explained “why vote no” on the constitutional amendments appearing on our primary and general election ballots this year. A small but hardy crowd stood in the rain and applauded throughout the program.
Organizers persisted but ultimately the program was cut short due to the weather. Watch the recorded event to hear the impassioned speakers, music and singers as we mark 250 years of Independence!
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