The non-partisan election of city officials shall be conducted in all respects as provided by the laws of Kansas governing the holding of city elections.

(K.S.A. 25-2101 et seq.; K.S.A. 25-2113; Code 2020, 1-208; Code 2022)

At all city elections the polls shall be open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m., unless different hours are set and publicly announced by the county election officer.

(K.S.A. 25-2111; K.S.A. 26-206; Code 2022)

Each ward of the city shall have two (2) council members and shall be chosen by the qualified electors of their respective wards. No person shall be eligible to the office of councilmember who is not at the time of his or her election or appointment, an actual resident and qualified voter of the ward for which he or she is elected or appointed. If any councilmember shall move from the ward from which he or she was elected or appointed, his or her office as council member shall thereby become vacated.

On and after January 1, 2017, all primary elections for members of the governing body shall be held on the first Tuesday in August of 2017 and on such date thereafter of odd-numbered years, and all general elections for members of the governing body shall be held on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in November of 2017 and on such date of odd-numbered years thereafter.

There shall be elected, in November 2023 and every four (4) years thereafter, one councilmember from each ward to each of the city council positions having terms which would otherwise expire in January 2024, each of whom shall be elected thereafter for a term of four (4) years.

There shall be elected, in November 2025 and every four (4) years thereafter, one councilmember from each ward to each of the city council positions having terms which would otherwise expire in January 2026, each of whom shall be elected thereafter for a term of four (4) years.

There shall be elected, in November 2025 and every four (4) years thereafter, the mayor who shall be elected thereafter for a term of four (4) years. 

(K.S.A. Supp. 25-2101 et seq.; K.S.A. 25-21a01 et seq.; C.O. No. 2; C.O. No. 11, C.O. No. 17; C.O. No. 23; Code 2022)

Whenever there shall be a tie in the election of council members, the winner shall be determined by lot by the judges of the election of the ward in which it shall happen.

(C.O. No. 5A; C.O. No. 11; Code 2003; C.O. No. 23)

The term of office shall commence on the first regular meeting on or after December 1 following the certification of the election. The elected officers shall qualify by taking the oath or affirmation of office to be filed with the city clerk

(K.S.A. 25-21a01; K.S.A. 25-2120; Code 2022)

If a vacancy occurs on the city council by death, resignation, removal from the city, removal from office, refusal to qualify, or otherwise, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment of the governing body of the City within forty-five (45) days following the creation of the vacancy. Such appointee shall serve for the period from and after the date of appointment until the second Monday in January following the next November election. At such November election, an individual will be elected to serve out the remainder of the unexpired term of the position, if any portion of the term remains unexpired. In no event shall the city call for a special election to fill such vacancy.

(C.O. No. 5A; C.O. No. 11; Code 2003; C.O. No. 22; C.O. No. 23; C.O. No. 28; Code 2022)

In accordance with K.S.A. 25-205 and K.S.A. 25-21a01 et seq., any person may become a candidate for city office by having had filed, on their behalf, either of the following:

(a)   a declaration of candidacy, accompanied by any fee required by law; or

(b)   a nomination petition. The nomination petition must be signed by five qualified electors of the relevant district (i.e., ward, or city-at-large).

(K.S.A. 25-205; K.S.A. 25-21a01; K.S.A. 25-2110; K.S.A. 25-2110a; Code 2022)

No candidate shall be permitted to withdraw his or her candidacy after the filing deadline.

(K.S.A. 25-2106)