Important to Kansans? The Kansas Speaks Poll
In October, the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University released their statewide public opinion survey known as the Kansas Speaks poll, which seeks to understand the position of Kansans on a wide variety of quality of political, social, and economic issues. This 2025 poll reflects the responses from 526 participants surveyed between September 26th and October 14th of this year, and gives a snapshot of Kansans’ economic confidence and views of public policy decisions.
Kansas Speaks is an annual, statewide poll conducted for the purpose of measuring the attitude of Kansans towards the current quality of life and governmental operation. Conducted since 2009, this poll has become an effective metric for measuring the shift in public opinion over time. The goal of the Docking Institute is to “facilitate effective public policy decision-making among governmental and nonprofit entities”
https://www.fhsu.edu/docking/ and the Kansas Speaks poll is one of their most visible endeavors.
Notable in the survey however, was a lack of polling data regarding the upcoming amendment proposal which would allow Kansans to vote for State Supreme Court Justices. Despite the proximity of the issue, and thus the increased relevance of the judicial structure in advance of the 2026 vote, the survey did not include questions gauging public awareness of the amendment, attitudes toward the current selection process , or preferences for maintaining the current system. This leaves a gap in understanding how Kansans are approaching the decision and underscores the need for additional public opinion research as the state moves closer to a formal debate over judicial reform.
It seems odd that questions regarding the constitutional amendment or the general subject of allowing Kansans to vote on electing judges were not asked. Was this intentional or just a mistake? That being said, respondents were asked to rate their satisfaction with the Kansas Supreme Court, and the survey found that 35 percent were satisfied, 21 percent were dissatisfied, with the largest category being the neutrals at close to 37 percent.
As Kansas moves toward a very consequential decision in 2026, the Kansas Speaks findings point to a high degree of uncertainty among voters regarding their state’s highest court and the broader judicial system. The trend over the years has shown a consistent plurality of voters are unsure about the Kansas Supreme Court, however next year’s amendment will present voters with a clear decision: whether to restore the election method of State Supreme Court Justices that Kansas employed for the first 100 years of statehood or keep the current “bar-controled” or “merit based” system put in place in the 1950s?
As public opinion polling comes available on this topic and other important topics to Kansas, the Kansas Information Network will be sure to report on the findings.