Election 2026
Are you ready to vote, Kansas City?
2026 is a midterm election year on the federal level, with this fall's contests deciding which party will control Congress. But it's turning out to be a critical year for the Kansas City region as well.
In Kansas and Missouri, voters will decide races for U.S. Senate, every U.S. House seat, governor and more. Critical constitutional amendments will appear on the ballots in both states. And around Kansas City, voters will decide a number of important bond issues and more.
General Election Day is on Nov. 3, 2026.
No matter which state you're voting from, KCUR wants to make sure you have all the information you need before you fill out your ballot.
Over the year, we'll be providing guides and resources for the 2026 election — plus interviews with candidates and spotlights on individual races.
Want to keep up with election news? Subscribe to KCUR's free morning newsletter, The Early Bird.
Voter tips
- Are you registered to vote? You can check your voter status and start the registration process online in Missouri and in Kansas.
- Do you know your polling place for Election Day? Check your location in Missouri and Kansas. Take note: It may have changed since the last time you voted.
- Do you have a photo ID? Both Kansas and Missouri require an ID to vote, but the accepted forms of identification differ by state. If you don’t bring proper ID, you’ll have to cast a provisional ballot.
- Do you know who represents you in the state legislature? Find out who's on your ballot. Look up your representatives in in Kansas and in Missouri.
2026 election dates & deadlines
Missouri voter registration deadline for primary:July 8Kansas voter registration deadline for primary:July 14Advance voting begins in Kansas:July 15Primary election day:Aug. 4Missouri voter registration deadline for general:Oct. 7Kansas voter registration deadline for general:Oct. 13- Advance voting begins in Kansas: Oct. 14
- Advance voting begins in Missouri: Oct. 20
- General election day: Nov. 3
All of the content below — and everything on our website — is available for free, always, no paywall or login needed. But if you want to support our journalism, you can become a member of KCUR here.
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Do you feel ready to vote this November? What races, candidates, amendments or other items are you most interested in? What information do you need to better understand your ballot? Text KCUR at 816-601-4777 to join the chat. -
People who don’t typically vote in midterm elections were the target audience during the Wednesday night debate between Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and Democrat Adam Hamilton. The outcome of the race could help flip the balance of power in the Senate. -
In the Nov. 3 election, Missouri voters will decide whether 15 judges, including a supreme court justice and appellate court justice, will keep their seats. Here's what to know about the retention process and the judges up for a vote around Kansas City. -
Two state supreme court justices and five appellate court judges are up for a vote in November’s election on whether they should keep their seats. Nearly all were appointed by a Democratic governor. -
Kansas and Missouri elections are less than two weeks away, and KCUR’s series “What’s the Deal, KC?” is answering common questions from voters about the candidates on their ballots. Text your questions to 816-601-4777. -
Every four years, most Missouri counties elect a sheriff to lead law enforcement efforts. That process is outlined in state statute, but if voters approve Amendment 8 at the polls on Nov. 3, the election of sheriffs will also be required in the state constitution. Plus, 30 years ago, roadrunners were spotted in only 28 counties in Kansas, or about a fourth of the state. But a changing climate has pushed the birds north to new territory. -
Outgoing Missouri House Speaker Jon Patterson and Rep. Keri Ingle are running in a competitive race to represent Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs and other cities in eastern Jackson County. Democrats are targeting the seat in hopes of breaking the state senate’s Republican supermajority. -
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction late Wednesday restricting a Homeland Security Investigations office voter fraud investigation in Missouri and eight other states, likening the tactic to voter intimidation. -
With less than two weeks until Election Day, Republican Ty Masterson leads Democrat Cindy Holscher in the race for Kansas governor. Plus: How the deportation of a parent can affect children's mental and physical health.
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State Sen. Cindy Holscher, the Democratic nominee for Kansas governor, says she would work to fully fund special education, place a moratorium on data centers and legalize recreational marijuana if elected. She joined KCUR’s Up To Date two weeks before the 2026 midterm elections to discuss her policy platform.
