Two Lawrence City Commission seats and three Lawrence school board seats will be on voters’ ballots in the Nov. 4, 2025 general election.
These seats don’t tend to get as much attention as presidential races, but the people who hold them are often responsible for making the decisions that most directly affect Lawrence residents’ lives and families.
Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day, which is Tuesday, Nov. 4.
Voters must present a valid photo ID to cast their ballots in person. If you are in line to vote by 7 p.m. on Election Day, you will be allowed to cast your ballot.
If you need to check on your voter registration, find your polling place or check whether these races will be on your ballot, visit myvoteinfo.voteks.org.
School District 497 is Lawrence Public Schools. Most parts of Lawrence within city limits are also within USD 497 boundaries, but some areas in the northwestern part of town are just outside.
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2025 election results
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Newcomers win Lawrence City Commission race; incumbents hold 2 school board seats
Newcomers Mike Courtney and Kristine Polian won the race for Lawrence City Commission, and incumbents Shannon Kimball and Kelly Jones held strong to their Lawrence school board seats Tuesday night. The third school board seat was too close to call.
Meet the candidates
Meet the 2025 candidates for Lawrence City Commission; Election Day is Tuesday
Election Day is Tuesday. Here’s an updated questionnaire for voters to get to know the four Lawrence City Commission candidates, including their answers to new questions we asked them this week.
Meet the 2025 candidates for Lawrence school board
We asked candidates running for Lawrence school board about the experience that they believe qualifies them to run, the board’s direction regarding bullying and disciplinary issues in the Lawrence school district, and much more.
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More Election 2025 coverage
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Commissioners Courtney, Polian sworn in, ask to revisit rec center fees
New Lawrence City Commissioners Mike Courtney and Kristine Polian, sworn in Tuesday, have asked to revisit fees the city plans to charge residents to access rec centers starting next month.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Larsen, Littlejohn share parting words as their city commission terms end
Lawrence City Commissioners Lisa Larsen and Bart Littlejohn shared parting words as their terms came to an end Tuesday evening.
Douglas County elections office confirms results of Lawrence school board, city commission elections
The Douglas County Elections Office has certified the results of the 2025 election, with no changes to the winners of the Lawrence City Commission election and confirmation of a school board seat that had been too close to call.
Lawrence school board votes to appoint 4th-place candidate to board vacancy
The Lawrence school board on Monday voted to appoint whichever candidate lands in fourth place in the final Nov. 7 election results to a vacant board seat.
Lawrence school board to consider appointing 4th-place candidate, currently Bob Byers, to vacancy
The Lawrence school board on Monday will consider appointing to a vacant board seat the fourth-place candidate who marginally loses the Nov. 7 election — likely incumbent Bob Byers.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Newcomers win Lawrence City Commission race; incumbents hold 2 school board seats
Newcomers Mike Courtney and Kristine Polian won the race for Lawrence City Commission, and incumbents Shannon Kimball and Kelly Jones held strong to their Lawrence school board seats Tuesday night. The third school board seat was too close to call.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence voters weigh incumbency vs. ‘fresh blood’
Though some Lawrence voters at the polls Tuesday pushed against the potential return of current and past public officials, others preferred those with experience.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence city commissioners voted to implement rec center fees. Some believe they broke a promise.
A lot of people recall a promise from the city that when Sports Pavilion Lawrence opened, it would forever be free to use. But a dozen years later, there appears to be no solid proof that such a pledge was made, and fees are set to go into effect in January.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Election Day is Tuesday; here’s key info for Lawrence voters
Lawrence voters on Tuesday will elect two city commissioners and three school board members. Here’s what voters should know about how and when to cast their ballots, plus where to learn about the candidates.
Maya Hodison/Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Commission candidates discuss housing instability, code enforcement
Candidates for Lawrence City Commission during a forum Thursday weighed in on local housing instability, which can increase the likelihood that people experience sexual and domestic violence.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Sierra Club announces Lawrence City Commission candidate endorsements, shares Q&A answers
The Sierra Club Kansas Chapter has endorsed two Lawrence City Commission candidates and shared all candidates’ answers to questions regarding expansion of the city, development of the wetlands and more.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Candidates for Lawrence City Commission to participate in forum on housing instability
Lawrence city commission candidates will participate in a forum this week on housing instability and its connection to violence and trauma.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Lawrence labor unions endorse candidates for city commission, school board
Voters will elect two Lawrence city commissioners and three Lawrence school board members in the upcoming general election. Here are the endorsements of two local labor unions.
August Rudisell/Lawrence Times
Lawrence City Commission candidates discuss DEI in city policy, budget issues and more
The four candidates vying for two Lawrence City Commission seats shared their views on diversity, equity and inclusion in city policy in the face of changes at the federal level, the budget and more during a forum Saturday.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Reminder: Just a few days left to register to vote, update registration for city election
Just days remain before the deadline to register to vote or update your voter registration for the upcoming Lawrence City Commission and school board election.
Candidate forum recordings and more
Click here to go to the full YouTube playlist.
More about the offices
These races are nonpartisan, meaning candidates don’t run with a Democratic, Republican or other party designation, and primary elections are not divided by party.
Seats are elected at large, meaning all voters in the city can vote for all commission seats rather than voting by districts, and all voters within Lawrence school district boundaries can vote for all school board positions.
The Lawrence City Commission has five seats, and commissioners serve four-year terms. Some are elected every two years — in 2025, there will be two seats up for election; in 2027, there will be three seats up for election.
Lawrence city commissioners are paid $22,044 per year for their service. Learn more about the commission and find meeting information at this link.
The Lawrence school board has seven seats, and members serve four-year terms. In 2025, three seats will be up for election; in 2027, four seats will be up for election.
School board members are unpaid volunteers. Learn more about the board and find meeting information at this link.
General election dates to know:
• Tuesday, Oct. 14 — The final day to register to vote or update your voter registration for the general election.
• Wednesday, Oct. 15 — In-person advance voting begins, and advance ballots are mailed. Douglas County voters can register quickly and/or request a mail ballot online at KSVotes.org.
• Tuesday, Oct. 28 — The final day to request a mail ballot.
• Monday, Nov. 3 — In-person advance voting ends at noon.
• Tuesday, Nov. 4 — Election Day! Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find your polling place at this link.
Primary election dates that have passed:
• Monday, June 2 — The deadline to file for office (or remove your name from the ballot) is at noon. Find information about filing for office on Douglas County’s website at this link.
• Tuesday, July 15 — The final day to register to vote or update your voter registration for the primary election. Douglas County voters can register quickly and/or request a mail ballot online at KSVotes.org.
• Wednesday, July 16 — In-person advance voting begins, and advance ballots are mailed.
• Tuesday, July 29 — The final day to request a mail ballot.
• Monday, Aug. 4 — In-person advance voting ends at noon.
• Tuesday, Aug. 5 — Election Day! Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find your polling place at this link.
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