Memorandum

City of Lawrence

TO:	Mayor and City Commissioners
FROM:	David L. Corliss, Interim City Manager
CC:	Debbie Van Saun, Assistant City Manager
Date:	September 21 , 2006
RE:	Information on Advisory Elections

There is no statutory authority for advisory elections in Kansas. Instead, previous advisory elections sought by Kansas cities have relied upon city constitutional home rule authority to forward an advisory question to the County election officer (County Clerk).

I discussed this issue briefly with Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew. I invited him to come to the Commission meeting on September 26 to discuss election procedure issues, and depending upon schedules he may be able to attend. He indicated that advance voting begins for the November election on October 18. He also indicated that there is a need for a minimum of three weeks lead time to proof and prepare the printing of ballots prior to the beginning of advance voting.