Kansans have until Tuesday to register for the Nov. 8 general election, with advance voting beginning Wednesday across the state.
There are several statewide races to be decided, as well as one for Allen County and other parts of Southeast Kansas in the Kansas House of Representatives.
With state lawmakers reapportioning Kansas’ voting districts, as well as Rep. Kent Thompson’s decision not to run for re-election, a new face will represent Allen County in the Statehouse next year. Alana Cloutier, a Democrat from Humboldt, faces Fred Gardner, a Republican from Garnett, for the honor.
The rest of the decisions are for the statewide offices.
Gov. Laura Kelly is being challenged by outgoing Attorney General Derek Schmidt for a four-year term.
Sen. Jerry Moran, meanwhile, faces Democrat Mark Holland and Libertarian David Graham for another six-year term in the U.S. Senate.
On the U.S. House side, incumbent Jacob LaTurner, Republican, is challenged by Democrat Patrick Schmidt to represent Kansas’ Second Congressional District in Washington, D.C.
With Schmidt eyeing the governor’s office, his vacancy as attorney general will be filled by either Democrat Christ Mann or Republican Kris Kobach.
Incumbent Secretary of State Scott Schwabb is being challenged by Democrat Jeanna Repass and Libertarian Cullene Lang.
Lynn Rogers, Kansas treasurer, is being challenged by Steven C. Johnson, a Republican, and Steve Roberts, Libertarian.
Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt, Republican, is facing Democratic challenger Kiel Corkran to keep her seat.
A pair of constitutional amendment questions also are on the ballot.
The first, if approved, would allow Kansas’s legislative branch to supersede executive orders from the governor’s office in the executive branch. A “no’’ vote would keep the balance of powers as-is.
The second would require election of county sheriffs in counties that had not abolished the office as of this year and provide that sheriffs may be recalled from office or removed by a write-in initiated by the attorney general’s office. As with the first question, a “yes” vote amends the constitution. A “no” vote keeps the same rules in place.
Also to be decided is the retention of six Kansas Supreme Court Justices, Caleb Stegall, Melissa Standridge, Daniel Biles, Marla Luckert and Keynen Wall, as well seven justices on the Kansas Court of Appeals.
