The non-partisan election of city officials shall be conducted in all respects as provided by the laws of Kansas governing the holding of city elections.

(K.S.A. 25-2101 et seq.; K.S.A. 25-2113; Code 2022)

At all city elections the polls shall be open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m., unless different hours are set and publicly announced by the county election officer.

(K.S.A. 25-2111; K.S.A. 26-206; Code 2022)

A regular city election shall be held on the first Tuesday in November 2017 and every two years thereafter. In November 2017 such election shall be held for three councilpersons. The three Councilpersons elected shall serve for a term of four years and until their successors shall be elected and qualified. In the election in 2017, and each two years thereafter, the City shall elect three Councilpersons to that office for a term of four years and until their successors shall be elected and qualified. The members of the council, so constituted shall elect one of their number as president of the council to preside over the council in the absence or disqualification of the mayor.

No person shall be a candidate for, or elected specifically, to the office of mayor. At the first regularly scheduled meeting in January 2017 and each year thereafter, the members of the council so constituted, shall elect one of their members as mayor of said city. Said person shall hold the office of mayor for the term of one year and until his successor shall be elected and qualified. A member of the council may serve successive terms as mayor if so elected.

After completion of his term as mayor, if not re-elected to that office, or otherwise not qualifying, such person shall begin his term as councilman, and serve in that capacity for the remaining of his unexpired terms, if any, and until his successor is elected and qualified. Whenever a tie shall occur, in the vote for any person for mayor, said tie shall be resolved in favor of that councilman who received the largest number of votes in the last election in which he ran for office.

(K.S.A. Supp. 25-2101 et seq.; K.S.A. 25-21a01 et seq.; C.O. No. 1; C.O. No. 4; C.O. No. 16; Code 2022)

The term of office shall commence at the first regular meeting of the council in January following their election in November. The elected officers shall qualify by taking the oath or affirmation of office to be filed with the city clerk.

(K.S.A. 25-21a01; K.S.A. 25-2120; C.O. No. 16; Code 2022)

In accordance with K.S.A. 25-205, and amendments thereto, any person may become a candidate for city office elected at large by having had filed on their behalf a nomination petition or a declaration of candidacy, accompanied by any fee required by law. The nomination petition must be signed by at least fifteen (15) of the qualified electors of the City of South Hutchinson, Kansas.

(K.S.A. 25-205; K.S.A. 25-21a01; K.S.A. 25-2110; K.S.A. 25-2110a; C.O. No. 16; C.O. No. 17; Code 2022)

If any person elected to the office of councilman does not qualify within the required time he shall be deemed to have refused to accept the office and a vacancy shall exist and thereupon the mayor shall, with the consent of a majority of the remaining councilmen, appoint a suitable elector of the city to fill the vacancy for the term to which the refusing person was elected.

(C.O. No. 1; C.O. No. 16)

In case of a vacancy in the office of councilman occurring by reason of resignation, death or removal from office, or from the city, the mayor, by and with the consent of a majority of the remaining councilmen, shall appoint some suitable elector of the city to fill the vacancy until the next election for that office. In case of a vacancy in the office of mayor, occurring by reason of resignation, death, removal from office or from the city, the president of the council shall become mayor until the next regular election for that office and a vacancy shall occur in the office of the council member becoming mayor.

(C.O. No. 4; C.O. No. 16)