After weeks of anticipation, the November 4, 2025, election in Ulysses has officially closed, leaving voters and officials alike reflecting on a process defined by tight races and community engagement. From early ballots to mail-ins, Election Day votes, and provisional counts, 909 votes were cast among 3,749 eligible voters, a turnout that underscored the city’s active participation in local governance.
Throughout the counting process, results trickled in slowly, keeping everyone on edge. In the USD 214 school board race, where Cara Britton ultimately secured her seat with a 280-vote lead for Position Number 3.
At the heart of the suspense the City Council race painted a picture of tight margin competition, with every vote playing a crucial role:
● Bravane Phelps: 477 votes
● Mark Diaz: 299 votes
● Caleb Woods: 292 votes
● Shawn Rider: 287 votes
● Ken Warner: 283 votes
● Aubree Bohl: 243 votes
● Silas Rosales: 164 votes
● Lucy Guerra: 95 votes
With the final tallies in, the winners are set to be sworn in during January, officially stepping into their roles as stewards of local policy and community decisions.
While Ulysses focused on council and school board leadership, nearby counties faced their own important choices. In Stanton County, voters narrowly rejected an 18.5-mill, three-year hospital levy, with 130 No votes to 123 Yes. Seward County residents also said no to a 0.5% sales tax increase, the tally showing 1,230 against versus 427 in favor. Meanwhile, Finney County approved a 0.5% sales tax increase to fund $87.5 million for jail improvements, passing decisively 2,690 to 946.
These measures reflect a region weighing investments in items such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and public safety — a reminder that local elections carry meaningful consequences.
With the official results now certified, the spotlight shifts to the incoming school board and council members, whose decisions will shape Ulysses over the coming year. For voters, the election served as a reminder of the power of participation — and how every vote, every voice, truly matters.
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