photo by: AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

A woman shops while a voter casts a ballot at a grocery store, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Lawrence.

It is officially voting season in Lawrence.

Advance voting for city and school races is now open in Douglas County, with Election Day set for Nov. 4. The Journal-World has received responses from all seven candidates seeking a seat on the Lawrence school board, and from all four candidates seeking a seat on the Lawrence City Commission.

We asked each school board candidate for their stance on a variety of issues, including enrollment, equity initiatives and retaining high-quality educators. We asked city commission candidates for their views on everything from housing, economic development and how the city can capitalize off the upcoming World Cup.

Additionally, we asked all the candidates for their views on the importance of the First Amendment and what type of free speech and communication policies they would have as an elected official.

Click on the links below to see answers from each candidate.

— Lawrence City Commission candidate bios and campaign issues.

— Lawrence City Commission First Amendment responses.

— Lawrence public school board candidate bios and campaign issues.

— Lawrence public school board First Amendment responses.