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
Tom Harper/Lawrence Times
Voters can get to know Lawrence City Commission candidates at Speed Campaign Event
Like speed dating but for civic engagement, an upcoming forum will allow voters to become acquainted with Lawrence City Commission candidates.
Mac Moore/Lawrence Times
One week left to register to vote in Lawrence City Commission primary
Just one week remains for voters to register or update their registration in order to vote in the Aug. 5 primary election, when Lawrence voters will narrow a field of 13 candidates running for city commission.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
State, city candidates to speak at Douglas County Democrats’ pie auction
A Democratic candidate for Kansas governor as well as candidates for Lawrence City Commission and Lawrence school board will speak at the Douglas County Democrats’ annual pie auction this weekend.
Here’s a look at the 2025 candidates for Lawrence City Commission
At least one Lawrence City Commission seat will change hands in the upcoming election as a longtime incumbent did not file for reelection. Altogether, 13 candidates filed before Monday’s noon deadline.
Here’s a look at the 2025 candidates for Lawrence school board
All three incumbents whose terms will soon end and four challengers have filed to run for Lawrence school board this year.
Here’s a look at candidates who have filed for Lawrence City Commission and school board elections so far
So far in the 2025 local elections, 12 Lawrence City Commission candidates and five Lawrence school board candidates have filed to run. The deadline to file is noon Monday.
August Rudisell / Lawrence Times
Rally at South Park to look ahead to 2026 election
The Democratic Parties of Douglas County and Kansas will soon hold a rally at South Park to discuss the 2026 election, including who will run for governor.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Voter registration has reopened in Kansas; here’s what you should know
Voter registration has reopened in Kansas following Tuesday’s election. That means voters can also update their registration if needed. Here’s what you should know.
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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