A brief look at key Kansas election races

By Ben McCarthy

More than 135,000 Johnson County voters have already cast a ballot, according to the Johnson County Election Office. While the pace of the current numbers may mean that the County sets a record for a mid-term election, Election Commissioner Connie Schmidt said it was unlikely that numbers would reach the highs of a presidential year record. 

Early voting in Johnson County ends at noon today. Schmidt and other officials have urged voters who still hold a mail-in ballot that it is too late to place it in your mailbox, but instead to return it as soon as possible to one of the 16 dropbox locations around the county. To find the closest location to you, visit the Johnson County Election website. 

Key Races in Kansas

The Kansas ballot, much like those in the other 49 states of the Union, is shaping up to be a direct referendum on the current administration, as is often the case in midterm elections.

US Senate race

Recent polling suggests that Senator Roger Marshall, a Republican, and Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton candidates are running almost evenly, with some showing Hamilton maintaining a narrow lead (but within the margin for error). Hamilton, the senior pastor of United Method Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, would be the first Kansas Democrat elected to the US Senate since 1932, when George McGill won reelection. 

The rest of the Kansas Ballot, much like those in the other 49 states of the Union, is shaping up to be a direct referendum on the current administration. 

US Congressional 3rd District race

In the US House of Representatives 3rd District, Democratic incumbent Sharice Davids holds a commanding lead over Republican challenger Eric Jenkins. Earlier this month, The Johnson County Post announced it would not hold a forum for the two candidates after Davids declined to participate. Jenkins’ recent filing to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) shows that he’s only been able to raise a little less than $50,000. 

Governor race

Democrat Cindy Holscher is running to replace the out-going Governor Laura Kelly, and facing Republican Ty Masterson. Surprisingly, it has been Holscher that has stated opposition to the Kelly-led plan to entice the Kansas City Chiefs with billions in taxpayer funds to cross the state line and make camp near the Kansas Speedway. However, Holscher has walked back previous comments about the arrangement as being a “giveaway to billionaires” and is now suggesting that she would support public funding for billionaire Clark Hunt’s stadium. She singled out revising the plan in a way that would prioritize the inclusion of union jobs in the construction, and a broad commitment to small business growth.  Masterson has publicly supported the $3 billion development agreement, saying it would not raise taxes on Kansas residents.

Residents of Olathe, Lenexa, Shawnee, and KCK, who are unhappy footing the bill for the Chiefs, via STAR bonds, do not have a third party option when voting for governor. 

State Attorney General race

Republican Kris Kobach faces Democrat Chris Mann to secure his second term as Kansas Attorney General. Mann is a Lawrence-based attorney and a former police officer. His campaign commercials have often featured details on the drunk driver that struck him during a traffic stop, thus ending his career in law enforcement. Both candidates have offered tepid criticisms of flock cameras, also known as automated license plate readers (ALPRs). Kobach has established himself as more staunchly in favor of capital punishment, while Mann says the death penalty hasn’t been shown to deter violent crime, and considers it a function of the Kansas legislature to determine. 

Secretary of State race

Three candidates are running to replace Secretary of State Scott Schwab, who chose not to seek a third term. Jennifer Day, a Johnson County Democrat, has campaigned against measures that would restrict voting rights. Scott Morgan, executive director of “United Kansas the Free State Party,” has run as a Republican in elections, dating back to 1988. Republican Kansas State Representative Pat Proctor (Leavenworth) has called for greater election transparency, and vowed to limit “ballot harvesting.” 

Johnson County

Commission Chairman race

Johnson County Commission Chairman Mike Kelly outperformed challenger Karen Crnkovich in the August primary in a three candidate showdown. Kelly took 57% of the vote, and Crnkovich held 30%. The top two primary winners are now competing for votes in the November election. Kelly remains the odds-on favorite to win reelection to a second term. Crnkovich has vowed to not run for re-election if she can’t lower property taxes in her first term. 

For a complete listing of races on your November 3rd ballot, visit Vote 411, and input your home address. 

One Constitutional Amendment will be decided

Kansas voters will also be asked to adopt a proposed amendment to the state constitution. The question concerns language clarifying that only U.S. citizens are legally allowed to vote in the state. 

In 1996, the U.S. Congress passed a law prohibiting noncitizens from voting in federal elections, but this did not address state or local elections.

A “YES” vote on the constitutional amendment would clarify that only a person who is a citizen of the United States is eligible to vote in Kansas.

A “NO” vote would make no change to the state constitution, and the language concerning voter qualifications would remain the same.

Supporters, including Secretary of State candidate Pat Proctor, say a “YES” vote is necessary because the state’s constitution does not explicitly say noncitizens cannot vote. Opponents say the measure is redundant, and suggest it could be used in the future to suppress voter turnout by requiring a proof of citizenship in order to register to vote.