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Republicans want voters to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- Kansas voters will decide on a constitutional amendment to elect state Supreme Court justices instead of having them appointed by the governor, a move driven by conservatives unhappy with court rulings on abortion, school funding, and the death penalty.
- Supporters aim to elect at least four conservative, anti-abortion justices by 2033, citing controversial court decisions, including recent rulings on mail-in ballot deadlines and gender-affirming care for transgender minors.
- The debate is highly polarized, with anti-abortion groups and conservative donors heavily funding the vote-yes campaign, while abortion rights advocates and Planned Parenthood contribute significantly to the vote-no side.
- Kansas currently uses a nominating commission for judicial appointments without legislative involvement, and justices face retention votes every six years, but no sitting justice has ever been removed through this process.
- Critics of the amendment warn that electing justices could increase partisanship and allow wealthy donors undue influence, while supporters argue that democratic elections are the best way to ensure accountability.
