Polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the Kansas House District 19 race covering parts of Overland Park, Prairie Village and Leawood. Official results for the contest have not yet been posted.
The race is a rematch. Democratic incumbent Stephanie Sawyer Clayton faces Republican challenger Mark Hermes, the same opponent she defeated in 2024 with 62.3% of the vote, according to The Kansas City Star.
Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab said the election night reporting webpage went live at 5 p.m. Tuesday on the secretary of state's website. Initial results after polls closed were expected to reflect advance voting, with Election Day ballots reported throughout the evening.
Voters can check state legislative results on the Kansas Secretary of State's elections page.
What's at stake
The winner will serve a two-year term beginning in 2027. Kansas has no term limits for state representatives. The entire 125-member Kansas House is on the ballot this cycle, according to the Kansas Reflector.
The candidates
Stephanie Sawyer Clayton has represented District 19 since 2013. She was first elected as a Republican in 2012 and switched to the Democratic Party in 2018. This is her seventh election for the seat, according to the Star.
Clayton has served on several legislative committees, including Taxation and House Federal and State Affairs. She has been vice chair of the Rules and Journal Committee and Social Services Budget. Her stated priorities include keeping taxes reasonable, funding education, expanding Medicaid eligibility and supporting access to reproductive health care, according to the Star.
She is also a founder of the Bipartisan Women's Caucus.
Mark Hermes is a registered Republican, though he describes himself as a bipartisan independent, according to the Star. An Overland Park resident, Hermes holds degrees from Kansas State University, Wichita State University and the University of Kansas.
Hermes has chaired his Republican precinct in Johnson County since 2022. In 2026, he requested the introduction of two bills concerning district judges. Both died in committee, according to the Star.
His stated priorities include K-12 education improvements, cost-of-living tax relief for retirees and disabled residents, and healthcare accessibility, according to the Star.
When to expect final results
Due to a court injunction, Kansas has a three-day grace period for advance mail ballots. Ballots postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by county election offices by Nov. 6 are eligible to be counted. Unofficial vote totals may increase between Nov. 4 and Nov. 6 as those ballots are processed.
Provisional ballots will not be counted until each county board of canvassers meets, which must occur no later than Nov. 16. The State Board of Canvassers must certify official results by Dec. 1.
