About the Survey

Mainstream is a nonprofit, nonpartisan political advocacy organization primarily focused on legislative policy and voter engagement. Our priorities and positions are informed by issues before the Kansas Legislature that impact a broad segment of the Kansas population. We also recognize that elected leaders on local school boards, city councils, and utility boards make the decisions that more often have the greatest impact on our everyday lives. Additionally, local governing bodies often serve as incubators for aspiring politicians who go on to seek higher office.

While every issue may not directly relate to an office sought by a candidate, the survey questions are based on legislation and issues from the 2023 session that have profound impacts on local governing bodies and the communities they serve. Our candidate ratings, shown as percentages, are designed to provide voters with an indication of how closely a candidate might align with Mainstream values (the higher the rating percentage, the greater the likelihood). 

FAQ

How are candidate ratings calculated? Candidates are provided the opportunity to complete a survey containing questions that are designed to provide an indication of how closely they may align with Mainstream values. The rating percentages are then calculated automatically from the multiple choice answers, only, using a consistent scoring matrix designed by a nonpartisan committee. 

Why are some candidates missing? Mainstream actively solicited surveys from candidates in city and school board races in Douglas, Johnson, and Wyandotte counties. An invitation to participate was also posted on our social media platforms, for all candidates. The most likely reason your candidates or race is not listed is that the candidates did not return surveys. 

Candidate ratings are not endorsements. Ratings are designed to provide you with an indication of how closely a candidate might align with Mainstream values: the higher the rating percentage, the greater the probability. We believe the ratings offer a more transparent, engaging way for you to interact with candidate positions and priorities. We also recognize that this process may present you with multiple options for candidates who, at first glance, may seem to align closely with issues important to you.

Therefore, we encourage you to learn more about the candidates on your ballot by reviewing the full survey responses, and utilizing additional nonpartisan resources available from our friends, including:

• Game On For Kansas Schools
• KSBallot.org
• Vote411.org

November 7 General Election Candidate Ratings (Updated 10/19/23)

Download printer-friendly versions: Johnson County | Douglas & Wyandotte Counties

View each candidate's full survey response.

 Denotes Present Incumbent

* TL;DR: Lori Sharp, candidate for Prairie Village City Council Ward 3, is not a Mainstream Candidate. Her platform seeking to limit representation in government and overturn the will of voters is not consistent with Mainstream’s values. Therefore, Ms. Sharp’s self-reported rating and completed survey have been withdrawn from our site and candidate scorecard. 

Friends,

Mainstream is dedicated to creating a more representative and responsive government by empowering informed participation and meaningful action in the political process. One way we move our mission forward is by making available to the public nonpartisan voter education resources, including candidate ratings.

Because the candidate survey we use automatically calculates ratings from answers to the multiple choice questions (see below for process details), it may be possible for a candidate to provide answers to questions in such a way that could artificially inflate their rating percentage. When a final rating does not correlate with a candidate’s public record or when evidence contradicts a candidate’s response(s), Mainstream reserves the right to withhold or withdraw the release of the candidate's final rating and/or completed survey.

Unfortunately, we found this to be the case with a survey submitted by Lori Sharp, candidate for Prairie Village City Council in Ward 3. After consideration of Ms. Sharp’s repeated public statements and actions in favor of limiting representation for residents in Prairie Village, it became apparent that to remain faithful to our mission and founding principles, we must withdraw her self-reported rating and completed survey. 

Lori Sharp, candidate for Prairie Village City Council Ward 3, is not a Mainstream Candidate. Her platform seeking to limit representation in government and overturn the will of voters is not consistent with Mainstream’s values. Therefore, Ms. Sharp’s self-reported rating and completed survey have been withdrawn from our site and candidate scorecard.

Mainstream was founded in 1993 by a bipartisan coalition of legislators, faith leaders, and community activists with the primary purpose of guarding against ideological extremism and protecting the separation of church and state. Today, we remain true to the tenets of democracy that have always been integral to our mission: encouraging active participation in civic life and ensuring fair, equitable representation in government. Looking to the future, we will continue to uphold these values as we work to realize a truly representative and responsive government in Kansas.

Sincerely,

Michael Poppa
Executive Director