Kansas Voters to Decide Judicial Retention on November 3
State residents will cast ballots on November 3, 2026, to determine the future of two supreme court justices and five appellate judges.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Criminal Justice
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On November 3, 2026, Kansas voters will participate in retention elections for two state supreme court justices and five appellate court judges. These judges serve under a merit-based appointment system, and this vote marks the periodic review required following their initial selection.
Why it matters
The outcome of these elections determines whether the seven jurists will remain on the bench or face replacement by the governor. Voters opted to maintain this appointment structure after rejecting a constitutional amendment to shift to direct judicial elections in August 2026.
Attorneys have provided retention recommendations for the seven judges, ranging from 75% for Lesley Ann Isherwood to 91% for both Larkin E. Walsh and Lori Ann Bolton Fleming. If any judge fails to be retained, their current term will expire in January 2027.
The players
Eric S. Rosen
He is a Kansas Supreme Court justice seeking retention in the upcoming general election.
Larkin E. Walsh
He serves as a Kansas Supreme Court justice currently standing for a retention vote.
Kim R. Schroeder
He is an appellate court judge and the only jurist on the ballot appointed by a Republican.
The details
Supreme court justices are appointed by the governor following recommendations from a nominating committee, while appellate court judges are governor-appointed and confirmed by the Kansas Senate. The process covers 31 judicial districts across the state, though retention results apply to the specific statewide and appellate court seats on the ballot.
Timeline
August 2026: Voters rejected an amendment to change judicial elections.
November 3, 2026: Statewide judicial retention elections occur.
January 2027: Terms expire for judges currently up for retention.
Legal Context
The upcoming retention elections follow the August 2026 rejection of a constitutional amendment intended to replace merit-based appointments with a direct election system. Kansas remains a state that has never successfully removed a supreme or appellate court judge through this voting process.
Residents should review their ballots to cast informed votes on the seven judges serving in the state court system. These retention decisions directly determine the composition of the judiciary that will preside over legal matters in the state until the next scheduled term reviews.
The takeaway
Voters can verify their registration status and find ballot information through official state channels before heading to the polls on November 3. Understanding the merit-based selection system is essential for evaluating the performance of the judges currently up for retention.
Further reading
Learn more about the local judiciary at Kansas Criminal Justice.
More information
View official election resources at the Kansas Secretary of State website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KCUR 89.3 - NPR in Kansas City. Local news, entertainment and podcasts..
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Should your local judges be retained in their seats based on their performance record?
