Can we do it by November ?

 Short answer: It is theoretically possible under home rule, but practically very difficult — and likely too late — to get a true advisory (non-binding) question onto the official November 3, 2026 general election ballot.

Key realities

1. Advisory elections have special status Kansas Attorney General opinions and the state’s Election Standards confirm that cities (constitutional home rule) and counties (statutory home rule) can call non-binding advisory elections on public issues. However, these are not official “question submitted” elections. Because of that, county election officials are generally not authorized to supervise or run them the same way they run candidate races or statutory ballot questions. Separate ballots and arrangements are typically required.

2. Timing is the biggest obstacle right now

   • Today is August 11, 2026.
   • Several Kansas county election calendars list September 1 as the deadline for questions to be placed on the general election ballot.
   • UOCAVA (military/overseas) ballots must be transmitted by around September 19.
   • Ballot design, proofing, printing, and voting-equipment programming take significant lead time.

   Even if the full Topeka City Council or Shawnee County Commission voted tomorrow to request an advisory question, the election office would have very little time to accommodate it on the official November ballot — and may decline because advisory elections fall outside their normal authority.

3. What would actually be required

   • Formal action by the full governing body (not one individual).
   • Clear public-purpose language that does not improperly delegate legislative power.
   • Cooperation from the Shawnee County Election Commissioner (who has discretion and may treat an advisory question differently from a statutory one).
   • Sufficient time for ballot production — which is already compressed.

Practical alternatives if officials want public input soon

• Hold a special advisory election later (more expensive and requires its own process).
• Use existing public-hearing processes already built into the Conditional Use Permit reviews.
• Conduct surveys, town halls, or other non-ballot methods of gauging opinion.
• Aim for a later regular election if the goal is an official ballot question.

Bottom line: While home rule allows advisory questions in principle, getting one onto this November’s official ballot is highly unlikely given the non-official status of advisory elections and the tight production deadlines. The realistic window has largely closed. For a definitive answer on whether Shawnee County’s election office would even accept such a request at this late date, the governing body would need to contact the Election Commissioner directly and soon.