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

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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.

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