SCR 1611 — Judicial Selection Amendment
Kansas currently selects Supreme Court justices through a merit-based "Missouri Plan" system: a nominating commission screens applicants and sends a list to the governor, who appoints one. After a year, the justice faces a non-competitive retention vote. The governor also appoints some members of the nominating commission. SCR 1611 would replace that system with direct partisan elections for Supreme Court justices.
- Voters would have a direct say in who serves on the state's highest court.
- Elected judges would be more accountable to the public than appointed ones.
- Proponents argue the current nominating commission lacks sufficient democratic input.
- Judicial elections could expose justices to pressure from wealthy special-interest donors.
- Merit selection was designed to insulate courts from partisan politics.
- Opponents note proponents have linked the amendment to changing the court's 2019 abortion ruling.
This is a Yes/No vote appearing on the August 4 primary ballot for all registered Kansas voters. The amendment requires a majority of votes cast to pass.
About this race
This proposed amendment would change how Kansas Supreme Court justices are selected.
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