Missouri general election: November 3, 2026

Who is running for 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County), Circuit Judge Division 17, Retention: Judge Cory L. Atkins in 2026?

Here are the candidates for 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County), Circuit Judge Division 17, Retention: Judge Cory L. Atkins on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in 16th Judicial Circuit.

This is a retention vote: voters decide yes or no on keeping this judge for another term. Judges may not promise how they would rule, so we show experience and record instead of issue positions.

Cory L. Atkins

· Incumbent

Circuit Judge, Division 17, 16th Judicial Circuit (Jackson County)

Cory L. Atkins serves as Circuit Judge, Division 17, of the 16th Judicial Circuit in Jackson County¹. Cory L. Atkins is up for a yes or no retention vote on Nov 3, 2026, and stays on the bench if a majority votes yes³². The Judicial Performance Review committee recommends that the judge should be retained¹.

Circuit Judge, 16th Judicial Circuit Court, since September 2019¹
Associate Circuit Judge 2018 to 2019; earlier Assistant Attorney General; clerked for Judge Zel M. Fischer of the Supreme Court of Missouri¹
Bachelor's from Rockhurst University and law degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City¹
Appointed associate circuit judge in 2018 and circuit judge in September 2019, under the Missouri Plan (nominated by a judicial commission, selected by the governor)¹².
Bar poll: The Judicial Performance Review committee recommends that the judge should be retained.

Last reviewed 2026-10-08. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.