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. 4- Missouri voter registration deadline for general: Oct. 7
- Kansas 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.
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The candidates faced off and shared their approaches to major issues in a debate hosted by the Johnson County Bar Association.
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Republican Alan Rohlfing and Democrat Stacy Lake are running to be the top executive of Jackson County, Missouri, after years of struggles and controversies in county government. Some of their priorities include property taxes, public transportation, audits and small business services.
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A proposed amendment to the Missouri Constitution this November would make it harder for state lawmakers to change or overturn laws passed by voters through initiative petitions. Opponents say it will be harder to fix unintended consequences of legislation.
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Small-business owners, nonprofit leaders, school board members and a radio host are vying for four positions on the Jackson County Legislature. Here's what to know about their priorities.
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A proposed amendment to the Kansas constitution would specify that only U.S. citizens may vote in elections. But the problem, according to opponents, is that non-citizens are already prohibited from voting.
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Missouri redrew its Congressional map to give Trump an election victory. The plan’s legal collapse was "a stress test for the rule of law," said former Missouri Supreme Court justice Michael Wolff.
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A plumber, an attorney, an incumbent and a health insurance broker are the at-large candidates for the Jackson County Legislature.
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With a statewide vote on the line and national fights around mifepristone, the Missouri Abortion Fund has launched a campaign to remind Missourians they "always have options."
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In November, voters will choose between Democrat Amy Diediker and Republican Jim McMullen for the Kansas Board of Education's 3rd District seat. Either candidate would be new to the board.