Last-minute election reminders

Adair County voters have been going to the polls early by voting in-person absentee at the auditor’s office.

Elections Deputy Auditor Nathan Reed says voter turnout has been on pace with what was expected. With the last presidential election happening during the pandemic, he said it’s hard to compare early voter turnout to recent numbers.

For those voting at the polls on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, Reed says there are a few things that are important to remember.

• Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Election Day. If there is a line at closing time, those who are already in line will be allowed to vote.

• Voters must bring a current form of identification, preferably with a current address on it. If that is not available, an attester may confirm their residency. Those who have neither an I.D. or an attester may cast a provisional ballot and cure it by Tuesday, Nov. 12 in the auditor’s office.

• Those who are not registered to vote may register to vote and vote on the same day.

• No “electioneering” is allowed within 300 feet of the polling place, meaning voters are not allowed to approach voters with the purpose of intimidating them or swaying their vote one way or another.

Reed said the auditor’s office will be open for all auditor’s office business, including early voting, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2.

Reed said he’s very appreciative of all the work the auditor’s office staff has put in before the election and will put in during and after the election.

There are no local contested races in this year’s election, though there are at the state and federal level.

Running unopposed for board of supervisor seats are Republican incumbents Matt Wedemeyer (District 1NW) and Jerry Walker (3SW), as well as newcomer Michael Christoffersen (5GF), who is set to take over for John Twombly, who is retiring from the board.

Sheriff Jeff Vandewater and Mandy Berg are Republican incumbents running for sheriff and auditor, respectively, and are unopposed. Republican Kelly Mitchell is running unopposed to fill a vacancy for Recorder, a position she has held since earlier this year.

On the ballot for President and Vice President are Democrats Kamala D. Harris/Tim Walz, Republicans Donald J. Trump/JD Vance, Libertarians Chase Oliver/Mike ter Maat, Party for Socialism and Liberation’s Claudia De la Cruz/Karina Garcia, Socialist Party USA’s William P. Stodden/Stephanie H. Cholensky, We the People’s Robert F. Kennedy Jr./Nicole Shanahan and No Party candidates Shiva Ayyadurai/Crystal Ellis.

Running against each other for U.S. Representative District 3 are Democrat Lanon Baccam and Republican incumbent Zach Nunn.

There are two opposed state races, with Democrat Nicole Loew facing Republican incumbent Amy Sinclair for State Senate District 12 and Democrat Karen Varley facing Republican incumbent Ray “Bubba” Sorensen for Iowa Representative District 23.

No candidates ran for Washington Township trustee. Roy Maeder is on the ballot in Richland Township.

County Public Hospital Trustees on the ballot for three positions are Willard W. Olesen, Jimmy Freeland and Deb Tindle. Daryl Nelson is on the ballot for Soil and Water Conservation District. Matt Mensing, Jessica Christensen, Trent Raasch and Amy Kading are on the ballot for County Agricultural Extension Council.

Judicial retention has David May on the ballot for Supreme Court and Tyler J. Buller, Mary Elizabeth Chicchelly, Samuel Langholz and Mary Ellen Tabor up for Court of Appeals. Patrick W. Greenwood is up as a District Court 5B Judge.

An ammendment to the state constitution on the ballot, if passed, would lower the official state voting age to 18 and require voters to meet state and county residency requirements. Those who will be 18 by the General Election will be able to vote in the primary election.

Another state constituional ammendment provides that the lieutenant governor will act as the governor if there is a temporary disability of the governor. The lietuenant governor or lieutenant governor-elect will be the governor or governor-elect in the case of resignation, death or permanent disability of the governor or governor-elect thus creating a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor or lieutenant governor-elect, as appropriate.

A public measure for Iowa Western Community College on the ballot asks if the board of directors of that school can be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue G.O. Bonds not to exceed the amount of $55 million to provide funds to construct, furnish and equipment a new academic building and renovate, remodel and improve existing buildings within its territory.

A public measure for the CAM Community School District asks whether or not that district’s board of directors can be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue general obligation bonds not to exceed $22.5 million to provide funds to construct, furnish and equip a classroom addition to the high school building, to do the same on the existing high school building, and have work done on mechanical, electrical and fire systems, a secred entrance and enhance technology and security in the building, as well as generally improve the site.