Downs, Kansas Public Records

Kansas residents can register to vote online at www.kdor.ks.gov/Apps/VoterReg or by submitting a paper application to the Osborne County Clerk. State law requires proof of U.S. Citizenship, such as a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization documents. Registration must be completed at least 21 days before any election. When voting in person, Kansas law requires photo identification - acceptable forms include a Kansas driver's license, state-issued ID card, passport, military ID, or student ID from a Kansas university. Municipal elections in Downs take place in odd-numbered years, typically each April, when voters select the mayor and city council members. The next city election is scheduled for April 2025. Candidates for these positions file their paperwork with the Osborne County Election Officer. Local ballot measures and ordinance questions may also appear on municipal ballots. Information about candidates and local issues can be obtained through the Osborne County Clerk's office or by attending city council meetings at Downs City Hall. Voters can identify their assigned polling place by contacting the Osborne County Clerk at (785) 346-2431 or using the polling place lookup tool on the Kansas Secretary of State's website at www.kssos.org/elections/elections_registration_voterid.html. Polling locations are determined by residential address and precinct boundaries. During general elections, polls operate from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Kansas time. Kansas law makes certain election records available to the public. Voter registration lists can be purchased for political purposes, while campaign finance reports filed with the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission are searchable at www.kansas.gov/ethics. Candidate filings, financial disclosures, and precinct-level results are also public. Individual voter history, showing which elections someone participated in, though not how they voted, is accessible as well. The ballots themselves remain confidential. The county has a long history of voting strongly Republican in presidential and statewide races. Detailed precinct results for the community are available through the Osborne County Clerk's office. " All 125 Kansas House seats and half of the 40 Kansas State Senate seats will appear on the ballot, including districts representing Osborne County. Local races will include several Osborne County offices such as County Commissioner positions, County Clerk, County Treasurer, Register of Deeds, and Sheriff, depending on term schedules. School board positions for USD 245 Downs may also be contested. Voters should contact the Osborne County Clerk closer to the election for confirmed candidate lists and any local ballot questions. Kansas permits advance voting by mail for any registered voter. To request an advance ballot, voters must submit an application to the Osborne County Clerk's office. Applications are available for download from the Osborne County Clerk or the Kansas Secretary of State's website. The application must reach the Osborne County Clerk no later than the Tuesday before the election. Completed ballots must be returned by mail - postmarked by election day - or delivered in person to the Osborne County Clerk's office by 7:00 PM on election day. In-person advance voting is also available at the Osborne County Clerk's office beginning 20 days before the election.