In the 2023 General Election, races at the local level include the Wichita Mayor, three City Council seats, and three seats on the Wichita Public Schools Board of Education.
The Wichita City Council is Wichita's top legislative body. It is composed of seven members: six who are elected by district and a mayor elected at-large. The mayor's position is full-time, while other council members are part-time. Council members are elected to a 4-year term for up to two consecutive terms. While candidates may belong to a political party, elections are nonpartisan, meaning the candidate's political affiliation will not appear on the ballot. The Wichita City Council's responsibilities include:
The Wichita Public Schools Board of Education consists of seven members: six members who must live within certain geographic boundaries and a seventh who can live anywhere in the school district, also called an at-large position. Members are elected to 4-year unpaid terms. During the August primary election, voters may vote for the position in their voting district as well as the at-large position. A ballot measure passed in 2022 changed rules for the November general election. Beginning in 2023, voters in the general election will only vote for the position within their voting district and the at-large position. The Board of Education is responsible for setting policies, approving financial agreements, and setting the annual budget for USD 259, Wichita Public Schools.
Sedgwick County is divided into five districts. Voters from each district elect one person to serve on the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). Commissioners are elected to a 4-year term. The BOCC has a number of legislative and administrative powers, including:
- Approval of the county's annual budget
- Levying of county taxes
- Construction and maintenance of county roads and bridges
- Serving as the local board of health
- Providing a jail, courthouse, office space, and supplies for all county officers and the district court
BOCC meetings are typically held at 9 a.m. on Wednesdays, except for the last Wednesday of the month. Two seats are next up for election in 2024.
Sedgwick County Clerk
The County Clerk is the official secretary for the Board of County Commissioners, recording county commission meeting minutes and producing written minutes for all commission meetings. The County Clerk's office is responsible for maintaining land records, issuing certain licenses and permits, and has duties related to property tax levies and tax roll preparation. The Sedgwick County Clerk is elected to a 4-year term. The position is listed on every Sedgwick County ballot and is next up for election in 2024.
Sedgwick County Register of Deeds
The office of the Register of Deeds is responsible for recording all real estate transactions within the county. The office maintains an online repository of land records dating back to January 1, 1969. The Sedgwick County Register of Deeds is elected to a 4-year term. The position is listed on every Sedgwick County ballot and is next up for election in 2024.
Sedgwick County Sheriff
The Sheriff's Office carries out law enforcement functions that local police departments do not, including district court security, civil process service, and operation of the Adult Detention Facility and Annex. The Sedgwick County Sheriff is elected to a 4-year term. The position is listed on every Sedgwick County ballot and is next up for election in 2024.
Sedgwick County Treasurer
The County Treasurer's office is responsible for collecting real estate, personal property, and motor vehicle taxes; commercial vehicle fees; special assessments; and other miscellaneous taxes for Sedgwick County cities, townships school districts, and other taxing jurisdictions. The County Treasurer is elected to a 4-year term. The position is listed on every Sedgwick County ballot and is next up for election in 2024.
District Attorney
The Office of the District Attorney prosecutes violations of criminal, juvenile, and traffic laws; enforces the Kansas Consumer Protection Act; initiates proceedings to protect abused and neglected children; and secures care and treatment in mental commitment cases. The District Attorney is elected to a 4-year term. The position is listed on every Sedgwick County ballot and is next up for election in 2024.
District Court Judge
Kansas has 31 judicial districts with varying numbers of judges. District courts are trial courts, with general original jurisdiction over all criminal and civil cases, including divorce and domestic relations, damage suits, probate and estate administration, guardianships, conservatorships, care of the mentally ill, juvenile matters, and small claims. Judges are elected to a 4-year term with no term limit. District 18, which has jurisdiction over Sedgwick County, has 30 district judges. For more information about current judges, visit https://www.dc18.org/judge-information. All positions are listed on every Sedgwick County ballot. 20 of the 30 judges are next up for election in 2024.
Precinct Committeeman & Precinct Committeewoman
Every two years, voters who have registered as either a Democrat or Republican vote to elect one man and one woman who live within their voting precinct and are members of their party to the position of precinct committeeman and woman. The work of these positions can vary, but generally includes:
- Supporting the county and state political party's endorsed candidates
- Volunteering in political campaigns
- Voting on party leadership
When a seat in the state legislature becomes vacant, the precinct committee members from that legislator's district and party vote on a replacement to serve the remainder of their term. Sedgwick County has 429 voting precincts with a total of 1,716 precinct committee positions. Every precinct committee position will be up for election next in the August 2024 Primary Election.
City Council district boundaries.
Wichita Mayor & City Council Candidates
Wichita Mayor
City Council District 2
District 2 covers eastern parts of Wichita.
City Council District 4
District 4 covers southwestern parts of Wichita.
Jeff Blubaugh, the incumbent in City Council District 4, cannot run for re-election due to term limits.
City Council District 5
District 5 covers northwestern parts of Wichita.
Bryan Frye, the incumbent in City Council District 5, ran for Wichita Mayor in the Primary Election.
USD 259 district boundaries. Dark gray regions represent areas within the Wichita city limits that are not part of USD 259 and instead fall into other school districts. A small portion of Wichita, in southwest Sedgwick County, is not shown.
Wichita Public Schools Board of Education Candidates
USD 259 District 3
USD 259 District 3 includes southern parts of Wichita.
Ernestine Krehbiel, the incumbent USD 259 District 3 member, did not file for re-election.
USD 259 District 4
USD 259 District 4 includes southern and southwestern parts of Wichita.
USD 259 At-Large
Sheril Logan, the incumbent USD 259 At-Large member, did not file for re-election.
