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Election commissioner urges consolidated election dates to reduce special-election burden
Summary
Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater sought support to encourage jurisdictions to use a common spring election date or the primary/general to reduce the county's multiple special elections; commissioners discussed carve-outs for congressional vacancies and the cost-bearing rules for calling jurisdictions.
Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater told commissioners that Sedgwick County faces multiple special elections in 2025 and that a consolidated spring election date could reduce administrative burden and improve efficiency.
Rainwater said the county already has five elections scheduled this year and would prefer jurisdictions coordinate on one spring date or rely on the primary/general dates rather than hold many special dates. She acknowledged pushback from some small jurisdictions that need spring elections for local ballot questions and said the county has reached out to the secretary of state to gauge their stance.
Commissioners discussed exemptions, noting that special elections to fill congressional vacancies or other statutorily required contests would need to be carved out. Rainwater clarified that the jurisdiction calling a special election pays the costs and is reimbursed to the county general fund as appropriate.
