Tuesday is Election Day in Kansas. Nearly 2,000 positions are up for grabs in local races, including mayors, city councils, and school boards. Mayors will be elected in Kansas City, Kansas, and Topeka. City commission and school board seats are on the ballot in Lawrence. Turnout for off-year elections like this is typically only 20% to 30%. The polls close at seven p.m. Click here to find your polling place.
From the Wednesday, November 5th headlines:
Christal Watson Elected Mayor of KCK/Wyandotte County Unified Government
UNDATED (KNS/KPR) — Christal Watson will be the next mayor and CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. Watson is the first Black woman to hold the post. She was deputy chief of staff under former Mayor David Alvey, and is currently executive director of the nonprofit Kansas City, Kansas, School Foundation. Despite big developments in the county, including the new Margaritaville Hotel, the Unified Government needs revenue. After keeping its budget level last year, a deeply divided UG commission in September voted to raise property taxes, in part to pay down interest on its nearly $900 million in bonds. Watson takes office in December.
In other results from Tuesday’s elections, Overland Park voters reelected Curt Skoog mayor. Topeka elected Spencer Duncan mayor. In Lawrence two newcomers won seats on the city commission: Mike Courtney and Kristine Polian. Election officials in Douglas County say turnout was about 25%, which is average for an off-year election.
This page will be updated with more local races when that content becomes available.
National Analysis from NPR
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Four races highlight this year's elections: a redistricting referendum in California, governor's races in New Jersey and Virginia and the mayoral contest in New York City. -
Democrats had a good night, winning major races including governor's races in Virginia and New Jersey and a redistricting ballot measure in California, while also confronting the future of the party.
National Races to Watch For
New Jersey
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New York City
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Virginia
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Colorado
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California
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