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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Passing a proposed constitutional amendment to eliminate the income tax is a priority for Republicans in Jefferson City. The resolution still needs final approval from the Missouri House, but critics say that raising sales taxes will disproportionately hurt lower-income and elderly Missourians. -
Joe Ceballos, former mayor of Coldwater, is a legal resident, but not a citizen. He pleaded guilty Monday to voting illegally, saying it was a mistake. It’s not yet clear if he’ll face deportation. -
Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed dozens of bills, but Republicans overrode a majority to force the measures into law — including restrictions on student protesters, funding for anti-abortion centers, and more power for landlords. -
The U.S. House has passed a version of the SAVE Act that requires people to produce additional documents if they are registering to vote with a different name than the one on their birth certificate. Critics say it disproportionately affects women, transgender individuals and others who've changed their name. -
Kevin King, a former union leader, was elected as mayor of Independence on Tuesday over a city council member who supported an AI data center deal. King has never held political office before, and says he wants residents to be engaged and feel heard in city government. -
Two of the five city councilmembers who supported major tax breaks for an AI data center were on the ballot Tuesday. Both were ousted in their respective elections by a large margin. -
One week after a controversial vote to approve rules for a CRG Clayco data center, anti-data center candidates ousted half of the Festus City Council. -
With the 1% earnings tax secured until at least 2031, Kansas City now looks ahead to negotiations with the Royals, looming bond measures for water and housing, and the possible referendum to eliminate Missouri’s income tax. -
Kansas City’s 1% earning tax has won renewal once again, garnering overwhelming support from voters in Tuesday’s municipal elections. Meanwhile, data center supporters lost big in Independence, Missouri. KCUR reporters join Up To Date to discuss the tax and other key issues on ballots across the metro. -
Preliminary results from the April 7, 2026, elections in Hickman Mills, Independence and other districts saw some new candidates win seats, while incumbents returned for another term in others.
