Federal, state and local races on Nov. 5 general election ballot
Federal, state and local races are on the ballot for the upcoming Nov. 5 general election.
Iowans could begin casting ballots on Oct. 16, which was the start of the absentee voting period. It marked the first day Iowans could vote in person at their county election office and the first day auditors could mail absentee ballots to voters who requested them.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed was Oct. 21. All absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on election day to be considered on time to be counted. Nov. 4 is the last day for in-person absentee voting.
Oct. 21 was also the deadline for voter pre-registration. Now, you can still register to vote, but the process will require a few additional pieces of mail to confirm residency, along with proof of identification (i.e. current and valid photo identification card with an expiration date). Other provisions may also apply. Persons not registered to vote by Oct. 21 should expect a longer processing time at the polls on election day.
From now through election day, the Clayton County Auditor’s Office in Elkader will have some extended hours for absentee voting, in addition to its regular hours of Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. That includes Friday, Nov. 1, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Polls will also be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5. For a full list of precincts and polling locations, visit elections.claytoncountyia.gov/vote/precincts/.
Who’s on the ballot?
The race looming largest at the top of the ballot is president and vice president, where voters will choose between Republicans Donald J. Trump and JD Vance and Democrats Kamala D. Harris and Tim Walz, as well as multiple third party candidates.
In Iowa’s second congressional district, incumbent Republican Rep. Ashley Hinson is seeking another term. She is challenged by Democrat Sarah Corkery and Independent Jody Madlom Puffett.
Republican Mike Klimesh is running for a second term in Iowa Senate District 32. Brian Bruening, a Democrat, looks to unseat him.
There will be a new representative in State House District 64, as Anne Osmundson is not seeking re-election. Republican Jason Gearhart and Independent Ian Zahren are facing off in that race.
At the county level, no races are contested. Incumbent Ray Peterson, a Republican, is the only candidate on the ballot for Clayton County Supervisor. The same goes for Democrat Jennifer Garms for county auditor. Brent Ostrander is running unopposed for sheriff after winning a tough Republican primary in June. Current sheriff Mike Tschirgi is retiring.
Multiple local non-partisan races are also on the ballot. Three individuals—Gerry Ommen, Robert Sass and Tina Troester—are seeking three spots on the Soil and Water Conservation District.
Five people are running for four seats on the Clayton County Agricultural Extension Council. This includes Joe Shirbroun, Shana Hilgerson, Kaitlin Landon, Nicole Winch Parker and Julie Bergan.
David E. Gould is seeking re-election as a trustee for Cass Township and Rande Moeller is running to fill a vacancy there. Incumbent Dennis D. Walthart is running again for Mallory Township Trustee.
What else is on the ballot?
Additionally, voters will decide whether several judges should be retained in office. This includes David May of the state supreme court, who is up for retention for the first time since being appointed by Gov. Kim Reynolds in 2022. Mary Elizabeth Chicchelly, Samuel Langholz, Mary Ellen Tabor and Tyler J. Buller are on the ballot for court of appeals, along with district court judges Thomas A. Bitter and Monica Ackley and associate Robert James Richter.
Two public measures on the ballot. The first asks voters if an amendment to the state constitution should be adopted that provides for only U.S. citizens aged 18 or older and meeting state and county residency requirements to vote in all elections. It further provides that 17 year olds who will be 18 years old by the general election are eligible to vote in the primary election, subject to the same citizenship and residency requirements.
This measure drops Iowa’s voting age from 21 to 18 years old in order to coincide with the U.S. constitution. It also seeks to change language at the beginning of the amendment from “Every citizen of the United States” to “Only a citizen of the United States.”
The second measure and proposed amendment to the Iowa Constitution explains the line of succession should the governor leave office, clarifying that the lieutenant governor would take over the role and have the power to appoint a new lieutenant governor. Current Iowa Constitution wording says “the powers and duties of the office...shall devolve upon the lieutenant governor” in case of death, impeachment, resignation or removal of the governor.
Want more information?
Please visit elections.claytoncountyia.gov or contact the Clayton County Auditor’s Office at (563) 245-1106 or 111 High St. NE, Suite 102, in the Clayton County Courthouse in Elkader. The Iowa Secretary of State’s Office—sos.iowa.gov—is also a good resource.
