Local Elections Debate Could Surface In Kansas House

A Kansas House member says lawmakers are likely to debate proposals next year to change the scheduling of local elections around the state.

Elections Committee Chairman and Olathe Republican Scott Schwab said Wednesday there’s been House interest in the matter because local elections typically have a low turnout.

Schwab acknowledges the Kansas Senate has shown little interest in the subject. But that could change, as the 40-member Senate opens the 2013 session with 16 new members.

General elections for city offices and local school boards are usually held the first Tuesday in April in odd-numbered years, with primaries in late February or early March.

Schwab said one proposal is to move local general elections to the first Tuesday in November in odd-numbered years.