City of Lawrence — Public Transit Sales Tax (repeal 0.2%, replace with 0.3%) (Douglas County)

What it does

Shall the City of Lawrence, Kansas be authorized to repeal the 2019 Sales Tax in the amount of two tenths of one percent (0.2%) in the City of Lawrence, Kansas, and replace it with the levying of a new special purpose retailers’ sales tax in the amount of three tenths of one percent (0.3%) for the purposes of operating a City Public Transit System, including purchasing and maintaining buses and other transit vehicles, constructing and maintaining transit facilities, and purchasing and maintaining equipment and such other related Public Transit purposes as may be in the best interest of the City, with such special purpose retailers’ sale tax to take effect on the 1st day of April, 2027, if approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting thereon. The new special purpose retailers’ sales tax referenced herein, if approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting thereon, shall expire after ten (10) years from the date upon which such tax is first collected. [Note: In the event that the new special purpose retailers’ sales tax referenced herein is not approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting thereon at the November 3, 2026, general election, then the 2019 Sales Tax shall not be repealed and shall remain in full force and effect until it expires in accordance with the terms of Ordinance No. 9549.]

A YES vote means

Lawrence would repeal its 2019 0.2% sales tax and replace it with a 0.3% sales tax for the city's public transit system starting April 1, 2027, expiring after ten years.

A NO vote means

Lawrence's 2019 0.2% sales tax would not be repealed and would stay in effect until it expires.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Unclear: our AI read of the official summary isn't confident enough (we require 70%) to place this on the left–right spectrum, so we don't. Read the summary and decide for yourself.

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

Lawrence voters approved transit sales taxes in 2008 (0.25%) and 2018 (0.2%), and the current tax sunsets in 2029, according to Lawrence Transit.

According to the city's election notice, the new 0.3% tax would start April 1, 2027 and expire after 10 years; if it fails, the 2019 tax stays in effect until it expires under Ordinance No. 9549.

The Lawrence Journal-World reported that the City Commission voted unanimously on July 14, 2026 to put the question on the ballot.

Put on the ballot by Lawrence City Commission, unanimous, July 14, 2026 (per Lawrence Journal-World).

From official source 1, official source 2.

In the news

• Lawrence city leaders set max mill levy at what budget proposal recommends; they also approve transit sales tax ballot question · Lawrence Journal-World

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on City of Lawrence mean?

Lawrence would repeal its 2019 0.2% sales tax and replace it with a 0.3% sales tax for the city's public transit system starting April 1, 2027, expiring after ten years.

What does a NO vote on City of Lawrence mean?

Lawrence's 2019 0.2% sales tax would not be repealed and would stay in effect until it expires.

How many votes does City of Lawrence need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on City of Lawrence?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.