STATEMENT FROM KANSAS APPLESEED ON PASSAGE OF SCR 1611:
Today, the Kansas House approved SCR 1611 on an emergency final action vote of 84-40. SCR 1611 proposes a constitutional amendment to provide for the direct election of Supreme Court Justices and abolish the Supreme Court Nominating Commission.
What happens next? Our work is not done. This proposal will go on the statewide ballot during the primary election in August 2026. Historically, the electorate for primary elections in Kansas is much smaller and tends to be more highly partisan. Your vote will be critical in deciding the future of our Supreme Court. Although this is not the outcome we wanted, Kansas Appleseed and many other organizations and partners will continue fighting to protect the independence of our Kansas Supreme Court from outside politics and dark money.
Thank you to everyone who contacted their Senators and Representatives, urging them to vote no on this resolution. Hundreds of Kansans responded to our call to contact their elected officials, and despite the outcome, our commitment to keeping justice fair, impartial, and free from political influence and dark money remains unwavering.
