Election 2026
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 much more.
Municipal elections in Missouri are on April 7, 2026.
State primary elections in Missouri and Kansas are on Aug. 4, 2026.
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.
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.
Voter tips
- Want to know who represents you in the legislature? Look up your representatives in in Kansas and in Missouri.
- Before you head to the polls, make sure you’re registered to vote. Voter registration deadlines have passed in both states, but you should double check your voter status in Missouri and in Kansas.
- Speaking of polling places, here’s where to find your voting location in Missouri and Kansas. Take note: Your polling place may have changed since the last time you voted.
- Both Kansas and Missouri require photo ID to vote, and the accepted forms of identification differ in each state. If you don’t bring proper ID, you’ll have to cast a provisional ballot.
Dates & deadlines
- Missouri voter registration deadline for primary: July 8, 2026
- Kansas voter registration deadline for primary: July 14, 2026
- Advance voting begins in Kansas: July 15, 2026
- Primary election day: Aug. 4, 2026
- Missouri voter registration deadline for general: Oct. 7, 2026
- Kansas voter registration deadline for general: Oct. 13, 2026
- Advance voting begins in Kansas: Oct. 14, 2026
- General election day: Nov. 3, 2026
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A Cole County judge is being asked to block the measure from the ballot or rewrite its summary for voters. -
After a Missouri Supreme Court decision Tuesday, the group People Not Politicians is urging Secretary of State Denny Hoskins to make a decision on whether its referendum on the 2025 congressional map will make the November 2026 ballot. -
The Missouri Supreme Court has confirmed a redrawn congressional map that takes aim at the state’s 5th District, a longtime Democratic stronghold. Incumbent Congressman Emanuel Cleaver now prepares for a slate of new challengers to his seat. -
The legislation includes many changes to state elections, including restoring voting rights to some parolees and allowing the use of campaign dollars for childcare. -
The high court also rejected lawsuits contending that the new lines passed in 2025 were not compact as required by law. -
Former Mayor of Coldwater, Kansas, Joe Ceballos pleaded guilty in April to voting as a noncitizen, which he says was an honest mistake. Now he’s being ordered to federal immigration detention. -
Suspending the federal gas tax would require an act of Congress. -
U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids seeks her fifth term to Congress. She said she plans to focus on affordability and GOP chaos in Washington. -
Backers of the Respect Missouri Voters initiative turned in roughly 350,000 signatures on Sunday to the Missouri secretary of state’s office. Lawmakers would be barred from changing or repealing voter-approved statutes or constitutional amendments, unless 80% of the legislature agrees to put the changes to another statewide vote. -
Pastor Adam Hamilton, of Leawood, went on a tour of Kansas the last couple of months to explore running for the U.S. Senate. Now, he's officially in — as a Democrat. We'll discuss how Hamilton's entrance has injected energy and controversy into the race to unseat Republican Sen. Roger Marshall.
