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Voters in Kansas are projected to reject a ballot measure Tuesday that would allow the direct election of state Supreme Court justices — a blow to conservatives unhappy with the high court’s liberal slant, according to Decision Desk HQ.
Under current law, the governor appoints new justices who then face retention elections. The measure would have created regular, direct elections for the court.
The merit selection system was implemented in 1958, according to the Kansas Reflector.
Tuesday’s results marks a big win for abortion rights groups that organized against the ballot measure, the Reflector reported. Conservatives in the Sunflower State had pushed for the change amid opposition to the high court’s rulings on hot-button issues, including abortion.
In 2024, the state Supreme Court struck down a duo of anti-abortion laws, finding the state Constitution’s protection of personal autonomy rights includes abortion access
Five of the seven current justices on the Kansas court were appointed by Democratic governors — either Laura Kelly or Kathleen Sebelius. There is currently one vacancy on the court.
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