Despite a high volume of last-minute candidate filings Thursday afternoon, there will be no primary election this year.
There was a large rush of candidate filings that came through the county clerkâs office just before the noon deadline Thursday. Despite the flurry of filings, there were still a few local positions that had no names submitted this year.
This includes Admire City Mayor, Admire City Council, Bushong City Council or Olpe City Mayor. Lyon County Clerk Tammy Vopat says each of these positions will now have a write-in space on the general election ballot.
This process comes after a recent change in state policy.
Vopat believes these changes will not have any effect on the local election.
A total of nine candidates filed for election Thursday morning including Travis Hitt for Emporia City Commission. Hitt now joins incumbents Jamie Sauder, Erren Harter and Becky Smith as well as fellow hopeful Will Spencer on the ballot for Emporia City Commission.
Newcomer Cory Haag and incumbent Rex Fisher have both filed for Olpe City Council.
Incumbent Matt Martin has field for re-election to the Neosho Rapids City Council alongside fellow incumbents Karla Mendoza, Brian Shank and Tess Shepherd. Julia Buckridge will be challenging incumbent Dallas Shepherd for Neosho Rapids Mayor.
Kristi Thomas filed for election to the Allen City Council while Bill Harmon filed for re-election to the Americus City Council.
For school boards, Linda Forbes has joined the USD 253 Emporia Board of Education race alongside incumbents Leslie Seeley, Jeremy Dorsey, Grant Riles and Art Gutierrez. Forbes is the third newcomer to file for USD 253 following Sam Tovar and Christy Grant.
Angie Calhoun Brotz has joined the USD 251 North Lyon County ballot alongside incumbents Gary Heine, Matt Horton and David Goldsmith. For USD 252 Southern Lyon County Michael Nunley is seeking to fill the Position 7 at large seat currently held by incumbent Charles Steffes who is seeking re-election alongside Position 1 incumbent Gene Windle and Position 5 incumbent Emily Darbyshire.
Becky Ballinger, Justin Farr and Brad Hoelting have all filed for USD 252 Position 4 currently held by Kevin Flott who has announced he will not seek re-election after more than a decade on the board.
As previously mentioned, the number of filings was not enough to trigger a primary election. Lyon County Election Office staff will now turn their attention to the general election on Nov. 7.
Some important dates to keep in mind:
*Voter registration will close Oct. 17
*Advance mail ballot voting begins Oc.t 18
*Advance in-office voting begins Oct. 23
*Saturday voting event Oct. 28
*Advance voting ends Nov. 6
*General election Nov. 7
For more information, go online to lyoncounty.org and find Election Office under the Government drop-down tab.
