Turnout in Wichita’s special sales tax election off to strong start, data shows
With less than a week until Election Day, turnout so far has been higher than what is typical in Wichita’s special election.
The Tuesday, March 3 ballot asks voters whether or not to approve a 1% citywide sales tax that would apply to most purchases within Wichita city limits. The proposal is projected to produce $850 million over the course of seven years to pay for projects like increased homeless services, Century II revitalization and upgrades to fire and police facilities.
Sedgwick County election data updated through Feb. 26 shows about 4% of Wichita’s registered voters have already cast their ballot in the special election. The figure reflects early voting and returned mail-in ballots.
This turnout is better than usual for a special election, Sedgwick County Election Commissioner Laura Rainwater confirmed with The Eagle Friday, with early voting turnout two to three times higher than the 2025 General Election.
Typically, special elections see a 10 to 15% voter turnout, Rainwater said, and early voting returns indicate a higher turnout could be achievable.
“I would not be surprised if we have a 25% turnout for this election,” Rainwater wrote The Eagle via email.
Breaking it down, 4,518 voters showed up to an early voting site, while 5,588 have returned their mail ballots. Overall, that means voter turnout sits at 3.9%, so far. There are still 5,606 mail ballots yet to be returned to the Sedgwick County Election Office.
While the sales tax would apply to anyone shopping within city limits, only voters registered Wichita voters can cast a ballot in the special election. There are 253,014 registered voters in Wichita, according to the county’s election dashboard.
Early voting is open now and ends at noon Monday. Anyone who applied for a mail-in ballot must return it to the Sedgwick County election office by 7 p.m. Election Day in order to be counted.
Election Day polling places will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. As long as you’re in line by 7 p.m., you can cast your ballot. Check your assigned polling place is on Kansas Secretary of State’s VoterView website.
