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Commission certifies 2025 City School general election after accepting provisional ballots
Summary
The Board of County Canvassers certified the 2025 City School general election after county clerk staff recommended accepting 55 of 80 provisional ballots; countywide turnout was 16.3% and the additional provisionals raised ballots cast to 9,421 without changing any winners.
The Leavenworth County Board of County Canvassers accepted county clerk recommendations on provisional ballots and certified the 2025 City School general election, concluding that the accepted provisional ballots did not change the winners or margins of any races.
County Clerk Anne reported the countywide turnout at 16.3% and provided city-level turnout figures: Tonganoxie 14.4%, Leavenworth 15%, Base(r) 19.2% (higher in part due to a tax-sale question), and Lansing 19%. The clerk reported 80 provisional ballots were submitted; staff accepted 55 and rejected 25 (mostly because those voters were not registered or registered after the close of registration). The county’s post-provisional total ballot cast rose to 9,421.
Anne also said the audit held Nov. 7 found no discrepancies and the Secretary of State certified the election prior to canvass. When commissioners asked whether the provisionals could upset results, Anne said she did not believe so and offered to run the provisionals and bring a final count for signature.
Actions taken: Commissioners moved to accept the county clerk’s provisional recommendations and then moved to certify the City School general election; both motions passed on roll call. The clerk noted that the accepted provisionals did not alter winners or margins.
Context and next steps: Commissioners discussed outreach to boost turnout in future local elections; several suggested partnering with school districts and civic programs, and possible legislative changes to align local elections with higher-turnout state or federal contests. The board also discussed engaging youth via in-class visits and county-sponsored civic education to improve participation.
Key quotes: "The audit board found no discrepancies and what was reported from what was physically counted," Anne said during the canvass.
Commissioners scheduled follow-up conversations and possible work sessions to plan outreach to increase turnout for local elections.
