Missouri and Kansas Voters Decide Judicial Retention in November

Voters in Missouri and Kansas will decide the retention of numerous state and local judges during the November 3, 2026, election. In Missouri, the ballot includes a Missouri Supreme Court justice, an appellate judge, and 13 circuit and associate circuit judges in the Kansas City area. Kansas voters will decide on the retention of two Supreme Court justices and five appellate court judges.

Both states currently use merit-based appointment systems, though Republicans in both regions have pushed for direct elections. Governor Mike Kehoe of Missouri expressed disappointment in the decisions of unelected judges regarding redistricting. In Kansas, voters recently rejected a constitutional amendment that would have abandoned the merit-based system in favor of direct elections.

Professional organizations have provided evaluations for the judges. The Missouri Bar Association's Judicial Performance Review committee recommended the retention of all 50 Missouri judges on the ballot, while the Kansas Bar Association surveyed attorneys to evaluate its judges. Some appointments have faced political opposition, including a campaign by Americans for Prosperity Action against Justice Larkin E. Walsh. If voters choose not to retain a judge, the seat becomes vacant at the end of the term, allowing the governor to appoint a successor.