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.
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.
U.S. Senate
Incumbent Roger Marshall (R) faces a GOP challenger and 11 Democrats compete for the nomination.
Statewide · Open SeatKansas Governor
Gov. Kelly is term-limited. 7 Republicans, 3 Democrats compete in the primary.
StatewideAttorney General
Kris Kobach (R) seeks a second term. Chris Mann (D) running for the second time.
Statewide · Open SeatSecretary of State
Incumbent Scott Schwab is running for Governor. Two candidates in each party primary.
StatewideState Treasurer
Steven C. Johnson (R) seeks a second term vs. Juan C. Luengo (D).
Statewide · Open SeatInsurance Commissioner
Wichita's own Dan Hawkins (R, House Speaker) vs. Dinah Sykes (D, Senate Minority Leader).
Federal · KS-4U.S. House — KS-4
Ron Estes (R) faces a GOP challenger. 4 Democrats compete for the nomination.
State · SD-25 Special ElectionKansas State Senate
Only SD-25 is on the August ballot. All other Sedgwick County Senate seats were filled in 2024 (terms through 2028).
State · All Seats UpKansas State House
All Kansas House seats are up in 2026 (2-year terms). Sedgwick County spans approximately HD-84 through HD-105.
CountyCounty Commission
Districts 1, 4, and 5 are on the 2026 ballot. District 1 features a competitive general-election contest.
Statewide Ballot Measure · SCR 1611Judicial Selection Amendment
Would replace merit-based Supreme Court appointments with partisan elections. On the August 4 primary ballot.
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 →The one non-candidate question on your ballot
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Ready to vote? Here's how.
Check your registration
Go to voteks.org to confirm you're registered and see your party affiliation.
Registration closed for Aug 4
The deadline to register or change party for the August 4 primary has passed. You can still update your registration for future elections at ksvotes.org.
Choose how to vote
In person: polls open 7 AM–7 PM Aug 4. Early: open now through Monday, Aug 3 at 20+ locations. Mail: the request deadline has passed for the primary.
Bring your photo ID
Kansas requires photo ID to vote in person. Driver's license, passport, military ID, student ID, and others accepted.