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Candidate Information

How to Become a Candidate

Federal, State or Judicial Office

County or Township Office

Precinct Committeeman or Precinct Committeewoman

City or School District Office

Useful Information for Candidates

Candidate Forms

Candidate Services

Additional Useful Information:

Filing for Office

Candidates filing by petition do not pay a filing fee, but many offices have additional fees imposed by the Secretary of State or the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission that are still required at the time of filing. More information can be found here.

Campaign Finance Reports

Campaign finance reports are required of all candidates except Improvement District and Precinct Committee candidates. Candidates who do not intend to spend more than $1,000 on their campaigns may file a notarized Affidavit of Exemption with the appropriate office before the 9th day prior to the Primary Election in lieu of submitting campaign finance reports. The report form for City and School Offices (except USD 259, City of Wichita and City of Derby) is available here and must be filed with the Sedgwick County Election Office by the 30th day after the election. Report forms for National, State, County, City of Wichita, City of Derby, and USD 259 offices are sent to candidates from the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission. The campaign finance report submission dates for these offices are listed in the Campaign Finance Report Due Dates. Campaign Expense Reports for local offices are accessible to the public via the OnBase System under Election Reports. Campaign Expense Reports for State and Judicial Offices are available from the Kansas Secretary of State's Office, and Campaign Expense Reports for Federal Offices are available from the Federal Election Commission.

Poll Agents

Candidates can appoint Election Day voting observers. The observer must carry a completed Authorized Poll Agents form that has been filed with the Sedgwick County Election Office to present to the election board workers. The observer must also wear a badge issued by the Election Office that says “OBSERVER”.

Candidate Signs

Kansas law prohibits campaign signs within 250 feet of the entrance to an early voting site or election day polling place during voting hours at those locations. [K.S.A. 25-2430].

The Sedgwick County Sign Placement Guidelines contains information for placing signs in areas that fall under Sedgwick County jurisdiction.

The City of Derby shares a summary of city code relating to sign placement within the city limits of Derby, KS.

The City of Wichita lists ordinances in effect on sign placement within the city limits of Wichita, KS.

Other local governments may have ordinances within their district which are not listed here. It is advisable to check local ordinances prior to placing signs in rights of way.

Informative Websites