In Kansas, elections for city councils and school boards occur in odd numbered years, while other elections are in even numbered years.
Local Offices
Wichita Mayor & City Council
The Wichita City Council is Wichita's top legislative body. It is composed of seven members: six who are elected by district and a mayor elected at-large. The mayor's position is full-time, while other council members are part-time. Council members are elected to a 4-year term for up to two consecutive terms. While candidates may belong to a political party, elections are nonpartisan, meaning the candidate's political affiliation will not appear on the ballot. The Wichita City Council's responsibilities include:
- Enacting ordinances and policies
- Adopting the City of Wichita annual budget and Capital Improvement Program
- Levying taxes
- Appointing members to citizen advisory boards and commissions like District Advisory Boards and Library Board of Directors
City Council meetings are typically held at 9 a.m. on the first, second, and third Tuesday of each month. The fourth Tuesday is reserved for workshop sessions where council members have the opportunity to review and discuss one or two focused topics. During the next City Council election, in 2025, there will be three City Council seats up for election.
Wichita Public Schools Board of Education
The Wichita Public Schools Board of Education consists of seven members: six members who must live within certain geographic boundaries and a seventh who can live anywhere in the school district, also called an at-large position. Members are elected to 4-year unpaid terms. Voters may vote for the position in their voting district as well as the at-large position. Prior to 2023, voters in the August primary could vote for all positions on the Board of Education.
The Board of Education is responsible for setting policies, approving financial agreements, and setting the annual budget for USD 259, Wichita Public Schools. The board's regular meetings are held once a month on Monday at 6 p.m. at the North High Lecture Hall. During the next Board of Education election, in 2025, there will be four Wichita Public Schools Board of Education seats up for election.
Sedgwick County Commission
Sedgwick County is divided into five districts. Voters from each district elect one person to serve on the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). Commissioners are elected to a 4-year term. The BOCC has a number of legislative and administrative powers, including:
- Approval of the county's annual budget
- Levying of county taxes
- Construction and maintenance of county roads and bridges
- Serving as the local board of health
- Providing a jail, courthouse, office space, and supplies for all county officers and the district court
BOCC meetings are typically held at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays, except for the last Wednesday of the month. During the next Board of County Commissioners election, in 2026, there will be three seats up for election.
Sedgwick County Clerk
The County Clerk is the official secretary for the Board of County Commissioners, recording county commission meeting minutes and producing written minutes for all commission meetings. The County Clerk's office is responsible for maintaining land records, issuing certain licenses and permits, and has duties related to property tax levies and tax roll preparation. The Sedgwick County Clerk is elected to a 4-year term. The position is listed on every Sedgwick County ballot and is next up for election in 2028.
Sedgwick County Register of Deeds
The office of the Register of Deeds is responsible for recording all real estate transactions within the county. The office maintains an online repository of land records dating back to January 1, 1969. The Sedgwick County Register of Deeds is elected to a 4-year term. The position is listed on every Sedgwick County ballot and is next up for election in 2028.
Sedgwick County Sheriff
The Sheriff's Office carries out law enforcement functions that local police departments do not, including district court security, civil process service, and operation of the Adult Detention Facility and Annex. The Sedgwick County Sheriff is elected to a 4-year term. The position is listed on every Sedgwick County ballot and is next up for election in 2028.
Sedgwick County Treasurer
The County Treasurer's office is responsible for collecting real estate, personal property, and motor vehicle taxes; commercial vehicle fees; special assessments; and other miscellaneous taxes for Sedgwick County cities, townships school districts, and other taxing jurisdictions. The County Treasurer is elected to a 4-year term. The position is listed on every Sedgwick County ballot and is next up for election in 2028.
District Attorney
The Office of the District Attorney prosecutes violations of criminal, juvenile, and traffic laws; enforces the Kansas Consumer Protection Act; initiates proceedings to protect abused and neglected children; and secures care and treatment in mental commitment cases. The District Attorney is elected to a 4-year term. The position is listed on every Sedgwick County ballot and is next up for election in 2028.
District Court Judge
Kansas has 31 judicial districts with varying numbers of judges. District courts are trial courts, with general original jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases, including divorce and domestic relations, damage suits, probate and estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, care of the mentally ill, juvenile matters, and small claims. Judges are elected to a 4-year term with no term limit. District 18, which has jurisdiction over Sedgwick County, has 30 district judges. For more information about current judges, visit https://www.dc18.org/judge-information. All positions are listed on every Sedgwick County ballot. During the next District Court Judge election, in 2026, 10 of the 30 judge seats will be up for election.
Precinct Committeeman & Precinct Committeewoman
Every two years, voters who have registered as either a Democrat or Republican vote to elect one man and one woman who live within their voting precinct and are members of their party to the position of precinct committeeman and woman. The work of these positions can vary, but generally includes:
- Supporting the county and state political party's endorsed candidates
- Volunteering in political campaigns
- Voting on party leadership
When a seat in the state legislature becomes vacant, the precinct committee members from that legislator's district and party vote on a replacement to serve the remainder of their term. Sedgwick County has 429 voting precincts with a total of 1,716 precinct committee positions. Every precinct committee position will be up for election in the August 2026 Primary Election.
