Tuesday brings special elections for several communities across Kansas as voters decide the fates of school-bond issues, and proposed increases on sales taxes.
The biggest race in terms of the number of people impacted and the contention leading up to Election Day is the proposed 1% sales tax in Wichita.
The polls close Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
Early voting numbers showed more than 9,200 Wichita voters already making their voices heard, a figure Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater said surpasses early turnout from the previous November election. She said she expects final turnout to exceed the typical 7%-to-15% range seen in special elections.
Ahead of the special election, the Sedgwick County Election Office said 11 of the county’s regular polling locations won’t be available, potentially impacting up to 26,000 voters.
The need for alternative polling locations increases the cost to hold the special election by $20,000, bringing the total cost to $170,000.
Hutchinson voters will also decide on a proposed sales tax, this one a 0.75% increase.
The City of Hutchinson explained that if passed, the three-quarter-cent sales tax “helps fund streets, parks, stormwater and city operation bills,” with the stormwater utility fee eliminated from water bills for households and businesses.
McPherson: the school district about 57 miles north of Wichita has a two-question bond that, the district says, “represents a significant step toward the Long Range Facility Plan, which the board of education adopted in December of [2025].”
The first of two questions that voters will consider calls for $62.5 million to renovate and renew the high school, provide safe and secure entrances at Lincoln and Roosevelt elementary schools and to pay off existing leases for HVAC/energy improvements and for a turf field and track facility.
The second question also includes proposed renovations and improvements at Lincoln, Roosevelt and Washington elementary schools, as well as adding a restroom, concessions and additional bleachers to the athletic field at McPherson High School.
The McPherson school district clarified that, “Project 1 must pass for Project 2 to move forward.”
Newton: Voters in Harvey County’s largest school district will decide on a $50 million school bond proposal. The bond addresses what the Newton school district describes as “end-of-life issues” with roofing and HVAC, as well as security upgrades.
Wellington: After a prior bond vote failed in November, the Wellington school district came forward again with a scaled back $17.85 million bond proposal for what the district says are essential maintenance needs.