Kansas Voters Head to Polls for Governor and Supreme Court Vote

Kansas primary elections take place Tuesday, August 5, 2026, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. A central feature of the ballot is a constitutional amendment that would shift the selection of Kansas Supreme Court justices from a governor-appointed system to direct election by voters.

Laura Kelly, the outgoing governor barred by term limits, has endorsed State Senator Ethan Corson for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. Corson emphasizes bipartisanship and economic growth, while fellow candidate State Senator Cindy Holscher has adopted an economic populist platform. Governor Kelly cautioned that candidates who appeal only to the progressive base may struggle in a general election. On the Republican side, Senate President Ty Masterson is a front-runner with the endorsement of Donald Trump.

Other key contests include a race for U.S. Senator Roger Marshall and a battle for the secretary of state office. Republican Pat Proctor, who advocates for stricter citizenship verification, faces Democrats Jennifer Day and Samuel Lane. Day has received Governor Kelly's endorsement, while Lane and Day both support reinstating a three-day grace period for mail-in ballots. Voters must present a valid government-issued photo ID at polling stations.