TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Senate has given first-round approval to a bill that would move city and local school board elections from the spring to the fall of odd-numbered years.

Senators advanced the bill on a voice vote and expected to take final action Thursday night.

Supporters of the measure argue that it will increase turnout in local elections because people are used to voting in November.

City and school board elections currently are held in April, with primaries in late February or early March. Turnout is often low.

But critics of the bill said there’s no compelling reason for a change and that it will cause administrative problems for local officials.

Also, city elections must be nonpartisan now, and the bill would allow cities to make them partisan.