Non-Partisan · Sedgwick County, Kansas

Know before
you vote.

Your complete, non-partisan guide to the August 4, 2026 primary and November 3 general election. Candidates, issues, and everything you need to cast your ballot.

See All Races → Explore the Issues

August 4, 2026 Primary

What's on your ballot?

Every Sedgwick County voter will see these races. Your exact ballot depends on your registered party and address — find your personalized ballot at voteks.org.

⚠️ Kansas has a closed primary. Only registered Republicans may vote in the Republican primary; only registered Democrats in the Democratic primary. Unaffiliated voters cannot vote in party primaries. Registration deadline: July 14, 2026.
Statewide · Open Seat

Kansas Governor

Open seat 10 candidates Aug 4 primary

Gov. Kelly is term-limited. 7 Republicans, 3 Democrats compete in the primary.

 Statewide

Attorney General

Incumbent running

Kris Kobach (R) seeks a second term. Chris Mann (D) running for the second time.

 Statewide · Open Seat

Secretary of State

Open seat 4 candidates

Incumbent Scott Schwab is running for Governor. Two candidates in each party primary.

 Statewide

State Treasurer

Incumbent running

Steven C. Johnson (R) seeks a second term vs. Juan C. Luengo (D).

 Statewide · Open Seat

Insurance Commissioner

Open seat

Wichita's own Dan Hawkins (R, House Speaker) vs. Dinah Sykes (D, Senate Minority Leader).

 Federal · KS-4

U.S. House — KS-4

6 candidates Aug 4 primary

Ron Estes (R) faces a GOP challenger. 4 Democrats compete for the nomination.

 State · SD-25 Special Election

Kansas State Senate

SD-25 special election

Only SD-25 is on the August ballot. All other Sedgwick County Senate seats were filled in 2024 (terms through 2028).

 State · All Seats Up

Kansas State House

~17–20 districts Aug 4 primary

All Kansas House seats are up in 2026 (2-year terms). Sedgwick County spans approximately HD-84 through HD-105.

 County

County Commission

3 seats

Districts 1, 4, and 5 are on the 2026 ballot. District 1 features a competitive general-election contest.

 Statewide Ballot Measure · SCR 1611

Judicial Selection Amendment

⚠ Key measure

Would replace merit-based Supreme Court appointments with partisan elections. On the August 4 primary ballot.
Policy & Local Context

Issues that matter to Wichita

We present the strongest version of each side's argument — factually, without taking a position.

🏫

Education Funding

The Gannon school finance lawsuit was resolved in 2024, but the KSEEA funding formula expires in 2027. A task force must deliver a replacement by January 2027.

Read more →
🏥

Medicaid Expansion

~28,000 Kansans fall in the coverage gap. Kansas remains one of the few non-expansion states. Federal rules now require work requirements for any new expansion state.

Read more →
💧

Water & the Ogallala

The Ogallala Aquifer faces long-term depletion. A July 2026 state deadline required groundwater districts to submit conservation plans or face state-imposed cuts.

Read more →
✈️

Boeing & Wichita's Economy

Boeing completed its re-acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems in December 2025, stabilizing ~15,000 Wichita jobs. The March 2026 city sales tax measure was rejected 82%–18%.

Read more →
🏛️

Reproductive Rights

Abortion is legal in Kansas up to ~22 weeks by court ruling. SCR 1611 (on the August ballot) would change how Supreme Court justices are selected, with potential implications for that ruling.

Read more →
🏠

Property Taxes

Sedgwick County home values rose 8.6% in 2025. The proposed FY2026 county budget modestly reduces the mill levy — but rising assessments mean many homeowners still pay more.

Read more →
🚔

Public Safety

Overall Wichita crime fell ~12% in 2025, but violent crime rose slightly (37 murders). A 2024 consultant review described the WPD's internal culture as "unhealthy, and at times toxic."

Read more →
💰

Kansas Income Tax

A 2025 veto override created an automatic tax-cut trigger that could reduce income tax rates to 4%. The next governor will decide how to manage this mechanism.

Read more →
Full Issues Guide →
── BALLOT MEASURE SPOTLIGHT ────────────────
August 4 Ballot Measure

The one non-candidate question on your ballot

📋 SCR 1611 — Kansas Constitutional Amendment

Should Kansas Supreme Court justices be elected in partisan elections?

Currently, Kansas Supreme Court justices are appointed by the governor from a merit-selection panel and face periodic retention votes. This amendment would replace that with direct partisan elections.

Arguments For
  • Voters should have a direct say in who serves on the state's highest court.
  • Elected judges are more accountable to the public than appointed ones.
  • Proponents argue the current merit-selection panel lacks sufficient democratic input.
Arguments Against
  • Judicial elections can expose judges to pressure from wealthy special-interest donors.
  • Merit selection was designed to insulate courts from partisan politics.
  • Opponents note that proponents have explicitly linked this amendment to changing the court's 2019 abortion ruling.
Full breakdown →

Ready to vote? Here's how.

1

Check your registration

Go to voteks.org to confirm you're registered and see your party affiliation.

2

Register or change party

Not registered? Deadline is July 14. Register online at ksvotes.org.

3

Get your sample ballot

Log in to voteks.org or call the Election Office at 316-660-7100.

4

Choose how to vote

In person: polls open 7 AM–7 PM Aug 4. Early: starts ~July 20 at 20+ locations. Mail: request by July 28.

5

Bring your photo ID

Kansas requires photo ID to vote in person. Driver's license, passport, military ID, student ID, and others accepted.

Full voting guide →