Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Elections topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission hears options on special elections for additional commissioners
Summary
Elections officer and commissioners discussed statutory limits and timing for special elections to fill newly drawn commission districts; commissioners expressed preference for holding elections that let voters select candidates rather than party appointment.
The county elections officer and commissioners discussed whether to hold special elections to seat two new commissioners created by redistricting and how state law affects timing.
Michael Hoyt, the county elections officer, told the board he had discussed the question in Topeka and that state statutes leave administration of local elections to local officials while the secretary of state oversees state and federal contests. He cited a statutory restriction that bars special elections within 45 days before or after a general or primary election. Hoyt said county officers should move promptly because voters elected the change months earlier and some districts currently lack local representation.
Concerns and preferences: Commissioners raised questions about mixing partisan and nonpartisan cycles and whether party committees would fill seats if a special election is used; several commissioners said they preferred letting voters pick candidates in a general or special election rather than leaving selection to party processes. The commission discussed whether to seat new commissioners in January 2026 and whether to place the seats on a short (one-year) or longer cycle to stagger terms.
Legal context: Commissioners referenced a state statute by citation (19-101(a)(6)) and discussed penalties in a house bill the governor recently signed addressing use of general elections to increase commissioners. No definitive legal opinion restricting the county from holding a special election on a specific timeline was provided at the meeting; commissioners discussed seeking additional counsel and noted potential state-level review.
Next steps: Commissioners agreed to pursue a legal opinion and to move quickly so newly elected commissioners could be seated in January 2026 if possible; they discussed election administration logistics and filing deadlines for candidates.
Ending: The board did not set a special-election date at the meeting; commissioners emphasized they want voters — not parties — to pick commissioners where practicable.
