If you’ve ever thought about making a difference in the community, running for local office is a good choice.
This year is a presidential election year which tends to get the most attention. However, several county leadership positions, which arguably make decisions that have the most direct impact on our community’s daily lives, are on the ballot this year but there is a JUNE 3 FILING DEADLINE to get yourself on the ballot.
The following Finney County elected positions will be on the ballot:
- County Commission
- Treasurer
- Clerk
- Register of Deeds
- County Attorney
- Sheriff
Candidates for public office may be nominated by political party or by obtaining signatures from registered voters on a petition.
Democratic and Republican candidates must run in the primary election to secure their party’s nomination. Candidates of other recognized Kansas political parties (currently Libertarian) do not run in the primary and are nominated for the general election by party caucus or convention. Independent candidates do not run in the primary and may only file to run for office by petition.
Contact the county clerk to determine what percentage is required for nomination petition forms.
Those interested in running for these positions should pick up a candidate filing packet, which is available online through the Finney County Clerk’s office on the Finney County website: https://www.finneycounty.org/851/2024-Election
Candidates will need to fill out a Candidate’s Declaration of Intention form which asks for basic personal information including place of residence, office sought and party affiliation.
Candidates must also file a statement of substantial interests which asks the candidate to disclose ownership interests in any corporation, partnership, and other business interests the candidate or their spouse has had over the previous 12 months. Candidates also must list gifts of goods or services they’ve received, places of employment, whether they or their spouse are an officer or director of an organization or business, and receipts of fees and commissions.
Candidates also need to appoint a treasurer or candidate committee and fill out that form.
Important Dates
The filing deadline for partisan candidates is noon on Monday, June 3.
The primary election is Aug. 6. The general election is Nov. 5.
Voter Registration Deadline
- July 16 to declare a party affiliation and vote in the Aug. 6 primary.
- October 15 to vote in the general election.
Any Finney County resident who is 18 years of age or older is eligible to register to vote.
A new voter registration card must also be completed if you have made any changes such as moving to a new address or change of name.
Voter registration closes 21 days prior to every election and reopens the day after the election.
Voter registration applications are available in English and Spanish at finneycounty.org
Complete your registration form in its entirety and return it by mail or in-person to:
Finney County Clerk / Election Officer
Finney County Administration Center
311 N. Ninth
P.O. Box M
Garden City, KS 67846
Online registration is also available at https://www.kdor.ks.gov/apps/voterreg/home/index.
More voter information is available at the Kansas Secretary of State website: https://sos.ks.gov/elections/elections.html
