Become a Candidate

Voting and Elections

Contact Us

​ ​
​ ​
Location: County Clerk Elections Office
Hours: Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm
Phone: 785-832-5267
Fax:
785-832-5192
Contact: County Clerk

Voting and Elections Question

Ask A Question

Become A Candidate

Candidate filing document signatures must be notarized within the presence of and by a Douglas County Election Official.  The Candidate Declaration of Intention Filing form must be notarized in-person at the Douglas County Election Office, except where noted.  The exception for notarized in-person signature requirement is only for precinct committeeman/woman candidate filings.

In 2025, elections will be held for both City Offices and School District Offices, as well as Drainage Districts.  The deadline to file for office is Monday, June 2nd, by NOON.

National Offices

Term: 6 year

Filing Fee: TBD

Report Fee: $20

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Secretary of States Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Term: 2 year

Filing Fee: TBD

Report Fee: $20

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Secretary of States Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Party Petition: 2% of Party

Independent Petition: 4% of registered voters in the district or 5,000 signatures, whichever is less.

Term: 2 year

Filing Fee: TBD

Report Fee: $20

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Secretary of States Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Party Petition: 2% of Party

Independent Petition: 4% of registered voters in the district or 5,000 signatures, whichever is less.

Kansas State Offices

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: TBD

Report Fee: $670

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Secretary of States Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Party Petition: 1% of Party

Independent Petition: 5,000 registered voters in the state

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: TBD

Report Fee: $670

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Secretary of States Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Party Petition: 1% of Party

Independent Petition: 5,000 registered voters in the state

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: TBD

Report Fee: $670

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Secretary of States Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Party Petition: 1% of Party

Independent Petition: 5,000 registered voters in the state

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: TBD

Report Fee: $670

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Secretary of States Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Party Petition: 1% of Party

Independent Petition: 5,000 registered voters in the state

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: TBD

Report Fee: $670

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Secretary of States Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Party Petition: 1% of Party

Independent Petition: 5,000 registered voters in the state

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $75

Report Fee: $70

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Secretary of States Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Term: 2 year

Filing Fee: $50

Report Fee: $70

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Secretary of States Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Party Petition: 2% of Party

Independent Petition: 4% of registered voters in district

Judicial Offices

Term: 6 year

Filing Fee: $0

Report Fee: $70

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Secretary of States Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: TBD

Report Fee: $70

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Secretary of States Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $0

Report Fee: $70

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Secretary of States Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Kansas State Board of Education

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $25

Report Fee: $70

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Secretary of States Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Party Petition: 200 signatures of voters in district

Independent Petition: 200 signatures of voters in district

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $25

Report Fee: $70

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Secretary of States Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Party Petition: 200 signatures of voters in district

Independent Petition: 200 signatures of voters in district

Douglas County Offices

DISTRICT #2

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $442.83

Report Fee: $50

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required:

  • Democratic Party: 223
  • Republican Party: 60
  • Unaffiliated: 545

Independent Petition: 4% of registered voters

DISTRICT #3

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $442.83

Report Fee: $50

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required:

  • Democratic Party: 211
  • Republican Party: 170
  • Unaffiliated: 710

Independent Petition: 4% of registered voters

DISTRICT #4

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $442.83

Report Fee: $50

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required:

  • Democratic Party: 213
  • Republican Party: 118
  • Unaffiliated: 642

Independent Petition: 4% of registered voters

DISTRICT #5

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $442.83

Report Fee: $50

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required:

  • Democratic Party: 193
  • Republican Party: 152
  • Unaffiliated: 664

Independent Petition: 4% of registered voters

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $1,002.56

Report Fee: $50

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required:

  • Democratic Party: 1121
  • Republican Party: 628
  • Unaffiliated: 3315

Independent Petition: 4% of registered voters

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $1,002.56

Report Fee: $50

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required:

  • Democratic Party: 1121
  • Republican Party: 628
  • Unaffiliated: 3315

Independent Petition: 4% of registered voters

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $1,002.56

Report Fee: $50

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required:

  • Democratic Party: 1121
  • Republican Party: 628
  • Unaffiliated: 3315

Independent Petition: 4% of registered voters

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $1,374.26

Report Fee: $50

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required:

  • Democratic Party: 1121
  • Republican Party: 628
  • Unaffiliated: 3315

Independent Petition: 4% of registered voters

* Must do background check when application is formalized, i.e. when filing fee is paid or petition submitted

City Offices (Elections in 2025)

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $20

Report Fee: $0

When Offices are Elected: Odd numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required: TBD

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $20

Report Fee: $50

When Offices are Elected: Odd numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required: 50

*City of Lawrence requires both additional fee and candidate filing documents

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $20

Report Fee: $0

When Offices are Elected: Odd numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required: TBD

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $20

Report Fee: $0

When Offices are Elected: Odd numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required: TBD

School District Offices (Elections in 2025)

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $20

Report Fee: $0

When Offices are Elected: Odd numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required: TBD

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $20

Report Fee: $0

When Offices are Elected: Odd numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required: TBD

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $20

Report Fee: $0

When Offices are Elected: Odd numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required: TBD

Township Offices

Offices: Treasurer, Trustee 

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $1

Report Fee: $0

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required:

  • Democratic Party: 
  • Republican Party:
  • Unaffiliated: 

Independent Petition: 5% of registered voters

Offices: Treasurer, Trustee 

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $1

Report Fee: $0

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required:

  • Democratic Party: 
  • Republican Party:
  • Unaffiliated: 

Independent Petition: 5% of registered voters

Offices: Treasurer, Trustee 

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $1

Report Fee: $0

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required:

  • Democratic Party: 
  • Republican Party:
  • Unaffiliated: 

Independent Petition: 5% of registered voters

Offices: Treasurer, Trustee 

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $1

Report Fee: $0

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required:

  • Democratic Party: 
  • Republican Party:
  • Unaffiliated: 

Independent Petition: 5% of registered voters

Offices: Treasurer, Trustee 

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $1

Report Fee: $0

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required:

  • Democratic Party: 
  • Republican Party:
  • Unaffiliated: 

Independent Petition: 5% of registered voters

Offices: Treasurer, Trustee 

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $1

Report Fee: $0

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required:

  • Democratic Party: 
  • Republican Party:
  • Unaffiliated: 

Independent Petition: 5% of registered voters

Offices: Treasurer, Trustee 

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $1

Report Fee: $0

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required:

  • Democratic Party: 
  • Republican Party:
  • Unaffiliated: 

Independent Petition: 5% of registered voters

Offices: Treasurer, Trustee 

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $1

Report Fee: $0

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required:

  • Democratic Party: 
  • Republican Party:
  • Unaffiliated: 

Independent Petition: 5% of registered voters

Offices: Treasurer, Trustee 

Term: 4 year

Filing Fee: $1

Report Fee: $0

When Offices are Elected: Even numbered years in the fall

Where to File: Election Office

Filing/Withdraw Deadline: June 1st at 12:00-noon. If June 1st falls on a weekend the deadline will be the following Monday at 12:00-noon

Petition Signatures Required:

  • Democratic Party: 
  • Republican Party:
  • Unaffiliated: 

Independent Petition: 5% of registered voters

Forms needed to become a candidate