Merriam, Kansas Public Records

The state requires registration at least 21 days before any election. Kansas law mandates photo ID at the polls; acceptable forms include Kansas driver's license, Kansas non-driver ID, U.S. Passport, student ID from a Kansas postsecondary institution, government employee ID, or concealed carry license. Those without acceptable ID may cast provisional ballots. The city conducts municipal elections for Mayor and City Council seats, typically scheduled in odd-numbered years during the spring, usually in April. Merriam's government includes a Mayor and eight Council members who serve staggered four-year terms, with elections held every two years for half the Council. The next municipal election is set for April 2025, when candidate filings will open in January 2025. Information about candidates, local ballot questions, and municipal results can be found on the City of Merriam website at merriam.org and through the Johnson County Election Office. Residents can locate their assigned polling place using the lookup tool at jocoelection.org or by calling the Election Office; assignments are based on residential address and precinct. Public election records in Kansas cover voter registration lists (available with certain personal information redacted under K.S. 25-2320), campaign finance reports filed by candidates and committees (searchable through the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission at kansas.gov/kgec), candidate filings and declarations, and precinct-level results. The county Election Office publishes detailed results by precinct on election night and maintains historical archives at jocoelection.org. During the November 2024 general election, Johnson County saw approximately 67% voter turnout with over 400,000 ballots cast from roughly 600,000 registered voters, demonstrating Johnson County's strong tradition of civic participation. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, voters in Merriam and Johnson County will decide several significant races. Kansas will hold elections for Governor (incumbent Laura Kelly's term expires in 2026), statewide constitutional officers including Attorney General and Secretary of State, all four U.S. House seats representing Kansas congressional districts (the city is in the 3rd District), and Kansas State Legislature seats for all 125 House seats and approximately half of the 40 Senate seats. County offices on the 2026 ballot include County Commission seats, County Clerk, Register of Deeds, and other countywide positions. Depending on the election cycle, some municipal positions may also appear if the city adjusts its calendar. Sample ballots become available approximately three weeks before Election Day through the Johnson County Election Office website. Kansas provides advance voting options both by mail and in-person. Voters may request an advance ballot (absentee ballot) by submitting an application online through the Johnson County Election Office portal, by mail, or in person. Applications for advance voting by mail must be received by the second Tuesday before Election Day; voted ballots must be returned by mail (postmarked by Election Day and received within three days) or delivered in person to the Election Office or designated drop boxes by 7:00 PM on Election Day. In-person advance voting is available at the Election Office and satellite locations beginning approximately 20 days before Election Day through the day before the election, allowing voters to cast ballots early without providing an excuse.