Here's what to know about Topeka City Council, school board candidates in general election
Advance voting is already underway in Shawnee County for this year's municipal general election, with candidates running for seats on the Topeka City Council and area school boards.
In-person advance voting began Monday, Oct. 23, and can be completed between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Shawnee County Elections Office, 3420 S.W. Van Buren in Topeka. The last full day for advance voting at the elections office is Nov. 3.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7. Advance mail ballots must be received at the election office or polling places by 7 p.m.
Find your polling place, check your registration or view a sample ballot here before you vote.
Topeka City Council candidates answer questions on key topics
The Topeka Capital-Journal posed eight questions about issues on the minds of local residents to the Topeka City Council candidates running in the municipal general election.
The council candidates are incumbent Councilwoman Christina Valdivia-Alcala and challenger Craig McCullah in District 2; David Banks and Dave Brede in District 4; Marcus D.L. Miller and Craig Dunstan in District 6; and incumbent Spencer Duncan and challenger Chris Phelps in District 8.
Topeka City Council candidates weigh in on homelessness
The eight candidates for Topeka City Council seats in the Nov. 7 general election agree that Topeka's city government should play a role in dealing with homelesness here, but they have differing perspectives about how to do that.
Council candidates consider how to reverse population drop
Topeka's population fell by 886 people between 2010 and 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau says.
The Capital-Journal last month asked candidates for Topeka City Council seats in the Nov. 7 general election what Topeka should do to try to address the population decrease. Here's what they said.
Topeka USD 501 school board
Of the four incumbents up for reelection to the Topeka Board of Education, only two face competition.
In District 1 Position 4, incumbent Lalo Muñoz is facing a challenge by Lana Kombacher and Jacqueline Bosch.
For the member-at-large seat, incumbent Richard Bonebrake is running against Antoine "AC" Collins and John R. Williams.
District 2 Position 5 and District 3 Position 6 incumbents Sue Bolley and Melanie Stuart-Campbell are running unopposed.
Read more about each candidate.
Seaman USD 345 school board race
The District A Position 1 election features newcomers Brett Bitner, Duane Steichen and Braden Werner.
For District B Position 2, incumbent Michelle Caudill is running against newcomer Zachary Wagers.
In District C Position 3, newcomers Dianna Brodine and Terry Symonds face off.
For the district’s at-large position, Christy Weiler is running for reelection against newcomer Linda Sloan.
Read more about the candidates.
Shawnee Heights USD 450 school board
Several candidates are vying for three district seats and one at-large position on the Shawnee Heights Board of Education.
District A Position 1 has incumbent Lauren Tice Miller facing a challenge by Damon Shore.
Over in District B Position 2, incumbent Rocky Busenitz is running against newcomer Chris A. Kieffer.
For the District B Position 3 seat, newcomers Sarah Sanders and Troy Showalter are running against each other.
The at-large seat has Jason A. Schulz running against newcomers Kristy VanMetre and Michael Cichowicz.
Read more about the candidates.
Auburn-Washburn USD 437 school board
Elections for the Auburn-Washburn Board of Education this year include three district-based positions and one at-large seat.
In the District A Position 1 and District B Position 2 elections, incumbents Jeremy Wiltz and Matt Ewald, respectively, are running unopposed.
The District C Position 3 election features challengers Linessa Frazier and Richard Lewallen taking on incumbent Brad Noller.
USD 437's at-large position election has incumbent Tom Bruno running against Z. Vincent Mulegwa.
Read more about the candidates.
Silver Lake USD 372 school board
The Silver Lake Board of Education has four at-large positions up for election this fall, in addition to a fifth election to complete an unexpired term.
Candidates for the four at-large seats are incumbent Scott Mellen and challengers Dan Klucas, Ian Reel, Lori Klein, Tannar Hinson, Cody VandeVelde, Aubrey Kruger, A.J. Heier, Elizabeth Meier and Stan Circle.
Jason Seele, who was appointed last fall to fill Bridget Remer's unexpired term after her resignation, is unopposed.
Read more about the candidates.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topeka City Council, school board general election races: What to know
