- The deadline for filing for municipal and school board seats across Kansas is Monday June 1 at Noon.
I know it seems like we just finished a long and grueling election cycle, and we did. The national elections were particularly onerous and vitriolic and wore on even the most dedicated citizens. Even worse, if you were in Wichita, there was another election period leading up to an early April election to fill an open Congressional seat.
Well, get ready, the election cycle is about to begin again, with the elections for municipal and school board seats about to get underway; this time to fill the seats for local elected officials.
These elections used to be held in April. However in 2015, the Kansas Legislature passed a law moving local election for cities, school boards and other municipalities to the fall. Citing low voter turnout in these elections, the original proposal was to have local elections at the same time as the general elections – in November of even numbered years.
Some folks felt the local elections would become an afterthought and struggle for attention in the midst of bigger and much better funded national and state contests. A compromise was reached. This is the first time local elections are being held in accordance with the new election cycle that set local elections on the first Tuesday in November of odd numbered years.
So, with a Nov. 7, 2017 election looming, the calendar of filing deadlines, primaries and general elections is about to get under way. The first calendar threshold, and one of the most important is rapidly approaching; the deadline for filing to run for office. That deadline is Thurs., June 1 at noon. Candidates file at their County Courthouse.
There is a significant change both in the filing date and location. All candidates for municipal office are required to file with the county election officer not at city hall, as previously allowed. There is a small filing fee, of $20 and for some positions, there is a $50 report fee. You can definitely avoid the filing fee by getting the appropriate number of signatures on a nomination petition. To find out the number of signatures needed, check with your city clerk. I think you’ll find the number of signatures required something simple to obtain. Even for the Topeka Mayor’s race, you only need 87 signatures, and most of us have that many friends (at least on Facebook) that we can ask to sign our petition.
An individual seeking municipal office must be “a qualified elector,” meaning at the time of the election the person must be a registered voter in the city and/or ward if the city is divided into districts. Typically half of the seats on the council or board are up for reelection during any given year. If the seat in the area where you live isn’t up for election this time, check to see if there is an at large seat up for contention.
“Running for office is a worthwhile and rewarding endeavor,” said Erik Sartorius, Kansas League of Municipalities executive director. “Public service is one of the most honorable tasks a citizen can undertake. Those who rise to the challenge of leadership, particularly at the local level, are the true gatekeepers of democracy.”
A quick check around the state shows few applicants for the many important positions that will be up for election. For some cities, I have to admit, finding out information was rather difficult, but don’t let that stop you. Just go down to your county election office and get the facts. In Topeka, as of press time, where six of the City Council seats are up for election as well as the mayor, there were still four seats where absolutely no one has filed.
The League offers a guide for City Candidates online for those considering running for public office. The guide is available free of charge and is online at www.lkm.org. The guide provides basic information about elections, city government and general municipal legal issues. School board seats are also open. Despite the important decisions school board members make that affect the welfare and education of our children and/or grandchildren, these races typically draw few candidates.
If you think you have what it takes to make a difference about conditions right where you live, that impact you, your family and friends every day, give some serious consideration to running for elected office. Qualified, thoughtful candidates are needed.