Buhler, Kansas Public Records

Kansas residents have multiple options for registering to vote: online through the Kansas Department of Revenue's secure portal at www.kdor.ks.gov/voterregistration, by mail with a printed application, or in person at the County Election Office or DMV. The deadline falls 21 days before any election. Voters must provide either a valid Kansas driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number, and first-time voters registering by mail need to show identification when they vote. The city holds municipal elections for mayor and city council in odd-numbered years, typically in April. The next Buhler city election is scheduled for April 2027. Candidates file with the Buhler City Clerk at City Hall, and local ballot questions - mill levies for the school district or bond issues - appear on the spring municipal ballot. Residents can find their polling place assignments using the Kansas Voter View system at myvoteinfo.voteks.org by entering their name and date of birth. Most voters in the community cast ballots at the Buhler Community Center or other designated locations within city limits. Under Kansas law (K.S. 25-2316 through 25-2320), voter registration lists are public records available for purchase by candidates, political parties, and committees for election purposes, though individual Social Security numbers and dates of birth are redacted. Campaign finance reports for state and local candidates are filed with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission and viewable at ethics.kansas.gov. In the November 2024 presidential election, Reno County reported approximately 58% voter turnout with roughly 16,000 ballots cast from 27,500 registered voters. Participation in Buhler generally mirrors or slightly exceeds the countywide rate. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, local voters will decide several significant races: Kansas Governor (incumbent Laura Kelly's term expires; this will be an open race if she does not seek re-election), Kansas Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Treasurer; U.S. House of Representatives for Kansas 1st District (which includes Reno County); Kansas State Senate District 34 and Kansas House District 113 (which cover Buhler); and Reno County offices including County Commissioner, Sheriff, County Clerk, and Register of Deeds. All Kansas state legislative seats are up in 2026 as the Kansas Legislature serves two-year terms. Kansas voters can request advance mail ballots through the County Election Office starting 20 days before election day. Applications are available at the election office website or by calling 620-694-2949. Voted mail ballots must be postmarked by election day and received within three days to be counted. Advance in-person voting is available at the Reno County Election Office beginning the Wednesday before election day through the Monday before election day during extended hours.