On August 4, Kansans will cast one of the most important votes of this election cycle. 

The Kansas Supreme Court is facing a threat that could affect our system of checks and balances for generations. On Aug 4, Kansans will vote on a constitutional amendment that would abandon our current merit-based system of appointing judges and replace it with a pay-to-play election system that benefits political billionaires. 

Kris Kobach has been fighting for this amendment for years. Why? Because it empowers people like him and Elon Musk to buy our courts. Putting judicial selection on the ballot doesn't give the vote to the people. It makes our courts partisan and part of the billionaire political system where money, not merit, decides who sits on the bench. Supreme Court justices are beholden to the Kansas Constitution, not the highest donor.

We can't let this happen.

Voter turnout is low in a primary elections -- and that's exactly what they're counting on. In 2022, Kansans proved that we'll turn up when our rights are being threatened, and we overwhelmingly voted in a primary election to protect reproductive healthcare. We need to do it again to protect not just our courts, but all the protections they uphold that will be threatened if this amendment passes. That includes abortion access, public education, voting rights, and so much more. 

Kansans need to make a plan to vote.

Ask 10 of your friends and neighbors about their plan to vote in the primary, and you'll be surprised how many don't know about this critical vote. Help Mainstream spread the word. Share our messaging and the resources from our partners and educate your network. Here are some quick and easy ways to get involved:

• Share messaging from Mainstream and Kansas United for Impartial Courts (KUIC) on social media. We're on Facebook and Instagram.
• Volunteer by signing up to knock doors or phone bank with KUIC.
• Join a Voter to Voter team and make sure your friends have a plan to vote.

Vote NO to keep our courts fair and impartial.

FAQ:

Q: Who can vote in the primary?

A: Every registered Kansan -- regardless of your party affiliation -- can and should vote in the Kansas primary election. This includes Independent/Unaffiliated voters.

Q: Why is this important vote on the primary ballot? Why not the general election in November?

A: The supermajority of the legislature is counting on a low turnout in order to pass this constitutional amendment. But just like in 2022 when Kansans overwhelmingly voted to protect abortion access, we're counting on Kansans to show up and protect our courts!

Q: I remember voting on judges in other elections. Don't we already get a vote on who is on the court?

A. Yes! Currently, KS Supreme Court Justices are identified through a merit-based process by a commission made up of experts and community members from all Congressional Districts. They make recommendations to the Governor who then makes appointments. But after the judge's first full year in office, Kansans get to cast a retention vote. We already have the power to hold our judges accountable when they're not doing a good job!

Q: I've seen some confusing signs and social media posts that make it look like voting yes is a good thing for democracy. Isn't it a good thing for Kansans to get a vote on how represents them?

A. No! Don't let the "vote yes" side confuse you -- they have a habit of doing that, just like with their messaging on the 2022 anti-abortion campaign. If this amendment passes it won't empower average Kansas voters to select judges. It will open the doors to outside billionaires to flood our elections in order to advance their agenda. There's no better example than the over $20 million that Elon Musk poured into the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race. Politicizing our courts and opening them up to the highest bidder isn't good for our democracy or for Kansas.

Q: I care a lot about voting rights, public education, and reproductive healthcare. How would these be impacted if the amendment passes?

A. This is exactly why voting NO is so important. Every one of these issues is at stake if billionaires and special interest groups win in August. When the supermajority of the legislature voted to put this proposed amendment on the ballot, they weren't shy about saying why. Attorney General Kris Kobach has said he wants the courts to follow his agenda, which includes banning abortion access and defunding our public schools. Check out this video from our friends at Loud Light for the full history of why he wants to open our courts to partisan elections.

Have more questions or want to learn more about how our judicial selection process currently works? Check out this FAQ.