DODGE CITY — The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature (KSHL) is seeking candidates for county delegates.

According to Rick Schaffer, executive director of the Southwest Kansas Area Agency On Aging, KSHL is a unicameral legislature consisting of 125 representatives from across Kansas. They come together annually in Topeka to discuss and propose legislation that impact Kansans of all ages. Measures that are passed by the KSHL are presented to the governor and Kansas Legislature when they convene in January each year.  

“Elections for the KSHL county delegates will take place March 17, in the 28 counties in southwest Kansas and we are seeking candidates to run for these county positions” Schaffer said. Each county will elect and be represented by one delegate.

Individuals who are interested in becoming a candidate must be 60 years of age or older, a resident in the county in which they are running, and a registered voter of Kansas. Delegates are elected to serve a two-year term. There are no term limits. If there is only one candidate for each county, an election will not be conducted.  

The deadline for filing for the KSHL candidacy is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26. All petitions, filing fees and other nomination papers must in SWKAAA’s office by that time. Items that are stamped that day and received the next day will not be accepted.

All current KHSL delegates will have to be re-elected or re-appointed and must also submit the necessary filing forms. Individuals who are interested in becoming a candidate for their county or have questions concerning the KSHL program may contact Schaffer by calling the toll-free SWKAAA number, 800-742-9531.

Filing forms and information concerning the nomination procedures may also be obtained from SWKAAA at P.O. Box 1636, Dodge City, KS 67801 or by calling the above phone number.