Kansas Audits Six Close Statewide Races
Canvassing is underway across Kansas as six state-level races remain too close for the Associated Press to call.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Elections
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The Kansas Secretary of State's office has initiated a close race audit for six state races, including the governor, attorney general and secretary of state contests. The Associated Press has not officially called any of the six races as county canvasses begin across the state.
Why it matters
A close race audit is triggered when a race winner leads by only one percent of total votes cast, and Kansas has no automatic recounts, so a candidate must request one. The audit and canvass process will determine certified results for Kansas voters in these high-profile contests.
Six statewide races are too close to call, and the close race audit threshold is a lead of one percent of total votes cast. Kansas does not conduct automatic recounts, so the outcome of any recount depends on a candidate requesting one.
The players
Kansas Secretary of State
The Kansas Secretary of State oversees state elections, including the canvass process and close race audits, and is the office that initiated the audit for the six races.
The details
Canvassing has begun at locations across Kansas, with election office workers in Sedgwick County reviewing a percentage of ballots and canvassing starting in Johnson County in the Kansas City metro area. Canvassers must certify their results by December 1.
Timeline
November 3, 2026: Statewide elections held across Kansas.
November 9, 2026: Canvass process begins statewide and the close race audit is initiated.
November 16, 2026: Salina vote canvass takes place at 9 a.m.
December 1, 2026: Final deadline for canvassers to certify results.
Political Context
Kansas has no automatic recounts, so any recount in the six races depends on a candidate formally requesting one under state law. The close race audit process applies a one-percent lead threshold to determine when additional scrutiny of results is required.
Voters should expect the six statewide races to remain unresolved until canvassing and any audit are complete, which could take weeks. If a candidate requests a recount, that process will add further delay before results are certified.
The takeaway
Close statewide races in Kansas are settled through a formal canvass, audit and certification process rather than immediate projections. Readers should rely on certified results once canvassers finish their work in December.
What happens next
Canvassers must certify all results by December 1, 2026, which will determine the final outcome of the six close races.
Further reading
For more on how close contests are resolved, see Elections coverage across Kansas.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Salina Post.
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