HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Reno County voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, for the 2026 general election, with several county and state races, judicial retention questions and three local ballot proposals to be decided.
Among the local contests is a race for the Reno County Commission's District 1 seat, while voters in Hutchinson USD 308, Nickerson and The Highlands will consider separate questions involving school improvements, sales taxes and street projects.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Advance voting is underway at the Reno County Annex.
Reno County Commission
Three seats on the Reno County Commission are on the ballot this year, although only one features a contested race.
In District 1, Democrat Carol Moore faces Republican Mike Sullivan.
Republican Richard Winger is unopposed in District 4, while Republican Don Bogner is unopposed in District 5.
Only voters residing within each commission district will vote in that district's race.
Kansas Legislature
Four Kansas House districts serving portions of Reno County will have contested elections.
- District 101: Democrat Mary Ann Harmon faces Republican Kevin O'Brien.
- District 102: Democrat Jason Probst challenges Republican incumbent Kyler Sweely.
- District 104: Democrat Lynnette Krieger-Zook faces Republican Randy Parks.
- District 114: Democrat Alan Albers faces Republican Kevin Schwertfeger.
Reno County voters will also help select a representative to the Kansas State Board of Education in District 7, where Democrat Ann Zimmerman faces Republican Alana McWilliams.
USD 308 bond election
Voters in Hutchinson USD 308 will decide whether to authorize a $36 million bond issue to finance improvements at district schools.
The proposal would fund renovations and facility upgrades, including heating and cooling systems, roof replacements, safety and security improvements, storm shelter construction, restroom renovations and playground improvements.
The district is proposing a 12-year bond issue and has said the plan would not require an increase to its current bond-related tax levy.
According to the official bond election notice, the district projects an average annual principal and interest payment of approximately $4.05 million, with an estimated $485,833 annually coming from state bond aid under current projections.
A majority vote in favor would authorize the district to issue the bonds. A majority voting against the question would prevent the proposed bond issue from moving forward.
Nickerson sales tax question
Nickerson voters will decide whether to extend the city's existing 1% retailers' sales tax for another five years.
If approved, the extension would begin April 1, 2027, and remain in place through March 31, 2032.
Revenue from the tax could be used for park improvements, street maintenance, sewer line repairs, sidewalk improvements, visual enhancements, tornado siren upgrades and property tax relief.
The proposal would extend the existing tax rather than establish an additional sales tax.
The Highlands street improvement bonds
Voters in The Highlands will consider a proposal authorizing up to $500,000 in general obligation bonds for street improvements.
The project would include paving and improvements to East Snokomo Road, West Snokomo Road, Crazy Horse Road and Northlinks Drive.
The Highlands City Council approved placing the question on the ballot during its Sept. 14 meeting.
Approval by a majority of voters would authorize the city to issue bonds to pay for the improvements.
Statewide and federal races
Reno County voters will also cast ballots in several statewide and federal contests.
In the U.S. Senate race, Republican Roger Marshall faces Democrat Adam Hamilton and Libertarian David Graham.
In Kansas' 1st Congressional District, Republican Tracey Mann faces Democrat Lauren Reinhold and Libertarian Steven Jacob.
The Kansas governor's race features Republican Ty Masterson and running mate Jeffrey Klemp against Democrat Cindy Holscher and running mate KC Ohaebosim.
Other statewide races include:
- Secretary of state: Democrat Jennifer Day, Republican Pat Proctor and United Kansas candidate Scott Morgan.
- Attorney general: Democrat Chris Mann and Republican Kris Kobach.
- State treasurer: Democrat Juan Luengo, Republican Steven Johnson and Libertarian Eric Lund.
- Insurance commissioner: Democrat Dinah Sykes, Republican Daniel Hawkins and Libertarian Ric Koehn.
Judicial and township elections
The ballot also includes retention questions for Kansas Supreme Court Justices Eric Rosen and Larkin Walsh, along with five Kansas Court of Appeals judges.
Republicans Thomas "Tad" Dower and Daniel Gilligan are unopposed for their respective positions as 27th Judicial District judges.
Voters in Reno County's townships will also see elections for township clerk. Several of those races feature a single candidate, while others have no candidate listed on the ballot.
Advance voting and Election Day information
Advance voting continues at the Reno County Annex ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
The remaining advance voting schedule includes:
- Wednesday, Oct. 28: Advance voting available until 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 31: Special Saturday voting from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 2: Advance voting closes at noon.
On Election Day, polling locations throughout Reno County will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Many Hutchinson voters will cast ballots at the Meadowlark Building on the Kansas State Fairgrounds, while other precincts will vote at locations including Dillon Nature Center and Bethany Church of the Nazarene.
Polling locations outside Hutchinson include community centers, churches and other designated facilities throughout Reno County.
Voters can confirm their registration status, find their assigned polling place and view ballot information through the Kansas Secretary of State's VoterView website at https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/VoterView.
Additional election information is available through the Reno County Clerk's Office.