Election & Voting Information
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Upcoming Shawnee County Elections
General Election Tue, Nov 4, 2025
The deadline to register to vote in the general election, including updates to voter registrations to reflect recent residency or name changes is Tuesday, Oct 14, 2025.
Register to Vote
Complete the Online Voter Registration Application or print the Kansas Voter Registration Application on that page, then mail it to your county election office or return it to the library's customer service desk or any of these Shawnee County voter registration locations.
Check your voter registration by entering your name and date of birth at Voter View from the Kansas Secretary of State.
- Confirm your address, party association, mail-in ballot status, and polling place location.
- Review which positions within districts represent you
- See your voting history in Kansas
Make a plan to vote
As a registered voter in Shawnee County, you can vote in one of three ways:
- at your assigned polling place on Election Day
- Early: In-Person
- Advance by Mail
Details on each option are available on the Shawnee County Election Office website. Voters who require assistance may call the Election Office at (785) 251-5900.
Learn about Candidates & Issues to be an Informed Voter!
View your sample ballot by entering your name and date of birth at Voter View from the Kansas Secretary of State.
Try some of these strategies to learn more about candidates and issues on your ballot:
- look up the races on your ballot using non-partisan voter education websites.
- Vote411 is a nonpartisan tool developed by the League of Women Voters Education Fund which includes answers submitted directly from candidates who choose to participate.
- BallotReady is a nonpartisan aggregator of online candidate information.
- watch and read local news sources like local newspapers, local news websites, radio stations and TV news providers
- Topeka Mayor and City Council candidates in contested races took part in live-streamed candidate forums, hosted by WIBW and the Greater Topeka Chamber earlier this month. All of those videos are available for you to view and share with others.
- Read local news coverage and election coverage in the Topeka Capital Journal, accessible with your library card.
- read the voting guides and endorsements from political, news or social groups you support
- hear directly from the candidates through campaign interviews, events, websites, direct mail, and social media.
All Shawnee County School Boards have races, and there are several special districts and city council races in surrounding communities. Explore the full list of Shawnee County races and candidates or view your sample ballot at Voter View from the Kansas Secretary of State.
The Shawnee County Election Office has all the information you need to make a plan for your method of voting. You can request a mail ballot, check the in person early voting schedule, and confirm your polling place for election day.
Additional Kansas Voting Information
- State law requires Kansas voters to show photographic identification when casting a vote in person, this includes voting advance in-person.
- Explore Frequently Asked Questions from the Kansas Secretary of State's Election Division website or by phone at 800-262-VOTE(8683).
If you are not a Shawnee County resident, contact the Election Office of the county in which you live for your accurate local election information.
Stay up-to-date about the work of elected representatives
Learn how to access and attend local public meetings. Enjoy the transparency of open meetings, along with the convenience of technology to view live online or watch a recording later. Find out how to make a public comment, track upcoming agenda items and learn how to embrace your role as a resident in the processes of local government.
Topeka City Council
The City Council conducts the business of the city by voting on ordinances, resolutions, applications, plats, zoning petitions, receiving reports and other items.
- The City Council normally meets on the first three Tuesdays of each month at 6pm in the Council Chambers (municipal courtroom), 214 SE 8th Street.
- Stream City Council Meetings or watch previously recorded meetings.
- View the current Governing Body Agenda.
- Check Council Committees and Board Assignments
- Sign Up to Speak at a Governing Body Meeting.
- Sign Up for e-notices of Governing Body Agendas.
- All Councilmembers are members of Topeka/Shawnee County JEDO (Joint Economic Development Organization). Three are voting members.
Shawnee County Commission
The Shawnee County Commission is a three-person elected body that has overall responsibility for county government, setting policy and performing executive and legislative functions. The Board of County Commissioners is the only locally elected body which is representative of all citizens of Shawnee County regardless of their residence inside or outside of city boundaries.
- The Board of County Commission Meetings are held Mondays at 9:00am.
- The Board of County Commission Work Sessions are held Thursdays at 9:00am.
- Public comment is welcome at any regular meeting; attend and sign up to speak.
- View the current meeting Agendas.
- Watch LIVE meetings at the SNCO YouTube Channel.
- Read the monthly County Connection Newsletter.
