The key local seats on Douglas County voters’ ballots in 2026 are the District 1, 4 and 5 seats on the Douglas County Commission. Districts 1 and 4 were decided in the Aug. 4 primary, but District 5 will be decided in the general election.
Many statewide seats are also on the ballot this year, including Kansas governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state treasurer, commissioner of insurance and several seats in the House of Representatives. There will also be ballot questions on the primary and general election ballots.
Federal offices, including the Senate seat currently held by Republican Roger Marshall and the House of Representatives seats held by Republicans Tracey Mann and Derek Schmidt, are also on the ballot.
Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on General Election Day, which is Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Voters must present a 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.
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Key Election 2026 coverage and primary results
Douglas County voters: Here’s the info you need to cast your ballot in the Aug. 4, 2026 election
All registered Kansas voters can cast ballots in the Aug. 4 primary election. Here’s a guide to help Douglas County voters make informed decisions on county, state and federal races.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Douglas County Commission election results: Kelly to hold seat, Spurling to oust incumbent
Douglas County Commissioner Patrick Kelly will hold his longtime seat, and newcomer Ethan Spurling has ousted incumbent Gene Dorsey.
Nathan Kramer / Lawrence Times
Douglas County Democrats cheer amendment failure; Wikle to retain House seat
Attendees at the Douglas County Democrats’ watch party in downtown Lawrence celebrated the failure of a proposed constitutional amendment as well as local candidates’ successes. Rep. Suzanne Wikle will retain her house seat.
More Election 2026 coverage
Cuyler Dunn/Lawrence Times
Congressional challengers offer vision on taxes, Trump at Lawrence forum without incumbent
Challengers running for Kansas’ Big 1st congressional district, which includes Lawrence, made diverging cases Saturday for why they should be the choice for voters unhappy with Republican incumbent Tracey Mann.
Kansas GOP candidate for secretary of state fined $93,000 for breaking federal labor law
Kansas secretary of state candidate Pat Proctor blamed zealous bureaucrats for assessing his restaurant businesses $93,000 in penalties after failing to comply with federal wage and overtime laws.
Appeals Court: Kansas mail-in ballots will be accepted for three days after November election
Mail-in ballots arriving three days after the November general election will still count in Kansas, an appellate court ruled, citing the need to make sure no votes are lost.
Molly Adams / Lawrence Times
Reminder: One week left to make sure you’re registered to vote in Kansas’ Nov. 3 election
One week remains for Kansans to register to vote or update their voter registration ahead of the Tuesday, Nov. 3 general election.
Kansas attorney general nominees Kris Kobach, Chris Mann tussle in campaign debate
Republican Kris Kobach and Democrat Chris Mann clashed Tuesday in a debate on their top priority as Kansas attorney general, their perspectives on capital punishment and even what they considered their opponents’ greatest attribute.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
Challengers for Kansas Big 1st, not incumbent, set for Lawrence forum
The Democrat and Libertarian candidates challenging U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann in the race for the Kansas District 1 seat will soon participate in a forum at the Lawrence Public Library.
Kansas’ third-party secretary of state candidate eager to inspire electoral evolution
Scott Morgan’s third-party candidacy to become Kansas’ top election officer is based on the premise that voters are intensely frustrated by hyper-partisan lawmakers motivated by showdowns instead of collaboration.
GOP’s Ty Masterson bows out of two TV debates, Democrat Cindy Holscher accuses rival of ‘hiding’
Republican Ty Masterson has declined two TV debates against Democrat Cindy Holscher in the competitive race for Kansas governor.
US Sen. Roger Marshall leaves paper trail in Florida while calling Kansas home
U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall established deeper roots than previously disclosed in Sarasota, Florida, where he had a vacation home that he traveled to on official business and said he used for visiting family.
Vance rallies support for Kansas Republicans in pointed speech interrupted by protester
Vice President JD Vance on Monday vouched for Kansas Republicans running for the U.S. Senate and the governor’s office, bucking Democrats who want to regain control of Congress in November.
Clamorous crowd dominates first Kansas U.S. Senate debate between Marshall, Hamilton
Incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall and the Rev. Adam Hamilton, a Democrat, confronted a raucous crowd Saturday defending their stances on tariffs, the war in Iran and partisan politics.
In scorching Kansas State Fair debate, governor candidates fight over taxes, data centers, vouchers
Candidates for Kansas governor largely sidestepped pointed questions from a news media panel during the debate at the Kansas State Fair as they argued over who was more extreme and how to make life affordable for state residents.
Kansas primary yields second-highest voter turnout in history
The Aug. 4 primary election, which featured contentious races and a hot-button ballot question, had the second-highest primary voter turnout in Kansas history, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.
Kris Kobach touts record as Kansas attorney general while Democrat Chris Mann attacks it
Democrats think they have a shot to win the Kansas attorney general’s race this year after a narrow loss last time. The race four years ago was the tightest statewide race, and the two candidates are the same.
Kansas gubernatorial candidates questioned on property tax, data centers, goals
Candidates for governor fielded business and economic questions Thursday, exchanging barbs about the “property tax crisis,” encouraging economic growth and steps to filling workforce needs.
Jacob Rice / Lawrence Times
August 2026 election canvass: Douglas County sees its second-largest primary turnout
This month’s primary election in Douglas County offered poll workers a “surprise whammy at the end” as voter numbers suddenly increased, leading to the county’s second-highest primary turnout to date.
Kansas City’s suburbs could decide the fate of the Kansas Republican supermajority
Kansas Democrats are trying — again — to break the Republican supermajority in the Statehouse. Most of the make-or-break contested races are in the Kansas City area.
Three Kansas House incumbents — two Democrats, one Republican — fall in Tuesday’s election
Some Kansas House incumbents in southeastern Kansas lost their seats in Tuesday’s primary, more than 150 candidates faced no opponent, and a Tonganoxie seat may still be too close to call.
Masterson scores win in GOP primary for Kansas governor; Holscher prevails in Democratic race
Republican Ty Masterson rode President Donald Trump’s endorsement to victory Tuesday in a seven-candidate gubernatorial primary, while Democrat Cindy Holscher shrugged off Gov. Laura Kelly’s blessing of a rival candidate to win the party’s nomination.
Kansas voters reject electing state Supreme Court justices as constitutional amendment fails
Kansas voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have changed to electing state Supreme Court justices, in a win for groups that were concerned the change would impact abortion rights and school funding.
General election dates to know:
• Tuesday, Oct. 13 — The final day to register to vote or update your voter registration for the general election. Douglas County voters can register quickly and/or request a mail ballot online at KSVotes.org.
• Wednesday, Oct. 14 — In-person advance voting begins, and advance ballots are mailed.
• Tuesday, Oct. 27 — The final day to request a mail ballot.
• Monday, Nov. 2 — In-person advance voting ends at noon.
• Tuesday, Nov. 3 — 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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Primary election dates that have passed:
• Monday, June 1 — The deadline to file for office (or remove your name from the ballot), at noon. Find information about filing for office on Douglas County’s website at this link.
• Tuesday, July 14 — 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 15 — In-person advance voting begins, and advance ballots are mailed.
• Tuesday, July 28 — The final day to request a mail ballot.
• Monday, Aug. 3 — In-person advance voting ends at noon.
• Tuesday, Aug. 4 — Election Day! Polling places are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find your polling place at this link. The elections office must receive all advance ballots by 7 p.m.
