What’s on my ballot?

While early voting has been open since Oct. 16, the official election day is still yet to come. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Following is a list of where to vote in Union County, based on where you live.

- Afton, Union - Afton Methodist Church

- Arispe, Shannon City, Sand Creek, Grant - Arispe Methodist Church

- Creston Ward 1 - Salem Lutheran Church

- Creston Ward 2, Spaulding, Douglas, Platte, Cromwell - SWCC Performing Arts Building

- Creston Ward 3 - Trinity Lutheran Church

- Creston Ward 4, Highland - Supertel Inn

- Creston Ward 5, Lincoln Township Precinct LNT - Crest Baptist Church

- Lorimor, Dodge, New Hope, Thayer, Jones, Pleasant - Lorimor City Hall

County Offices

The Union County Public Hospital Trustee Board decided in July to drop from seven to five members in the this year’s election. The board is currently made up of six members, with Sherry McKie and Julie Lanning each having terms up this year. With an anticipated retirement in the near future, McKie and Lanning are both running, with two seats open.

A number of seats are up for election on the Union County Agricultural Extension Council, with five regular terms expiring and one vacancy to fill. Allyson Lacina is the candidate to fill the vacancy. Candidates for regular council positions include April Evans, incumbent Randy Wuebker, incumbent Nicole Shawley, incumbent Callie Anderson and Chad Ide. Voters may chose up to five candidates.

The positions of Soil and Water Conservation district commissioners is only being run for by Mike Eblen, though the board has three terms expiring.

There are two positions open for the Union County Board of Supervisors. Incumbents Dennis Brown and Rick Friday won in the Republican primary election.

Brian Bolton is running uncontested for county sheriff. Current sheriff Mark Shepherd did not run, retiring after one term. Sandy Hysell is also running uncontested as the incumbent for Union County Auditor.

Lincoln Township and Lorimor City Hall Precincts

For those living in the precincts voting at Lincoln Township and Lorimor City Hall, a number of other votes are available. For State Senator in District 12, incumbent and Republican Amy Sinclair is running against Democrat Nicole Loew.

Incumbent Ray “Bubba” Sorensen is running as the Republican candidate against Democrat Karen Varley for the District 23 State Representative.

An additional two votes are available for those voting at Lorimor City Hall only. For the Pleasant Township board of trustees, two votes may be cast, Jeff Rice and Vernon Lee Kelly up for election. Additionally, Public Measure A is up for adoption, asking “shall the offices of Trustee and Clerk within a township be filled by appointment by the board?”

State Offices

One legislative office is up, with incumbent Republican Devon Wood running uncontested for District 17′s State Representative.

In the judicial realm, a number of judges are available for retention. Under Iowa law, judges are selected by the governor, but are up for retention elections, in which voters can chose to keep the judge or have a new one selected.

In the Iowa Supreme Court, David May is up for retention. In the Iowa Court of Appeals, five judges are up for retention: Mary Ellen Tabor, Tyler J. Buller, Mary Elizabeth Chicchelly and Samuel Langholz. Additionally, in District 5, which is made up of 16 counties, including Adair, Adams and Union, Patrick W. Greenwood on the district courts is up for retention.

State Constitutional Amendments

There are two amendments to the Iowa constitution up for adoption. The first amendment focuses on voting age and citizenship language. Iowa law currently allows 17-year-olds to vote in a primary election if they will be age 18 by the general election. The amendment asks to cement this into the Iowa constitution. Regarding citizenship, the phrase “every citizen of the United States” will be changed to “only a citizen of the United States” for who can vote.

The second amendment focuses on line of succession for the Iowa executive branch. This amendment adds clarifying language to the constitution regarding what happens if the Iowa governor reigns, dies or leaves office for some reason. The new language would clarify that the lieutenant governor would take over the position until the end of the elected term. The new governor would then be able to appoint a new lieutenant governor.

Voting yes for either of these actions would go towards the adoption of the amendments.

Federal Offices

In the House of Representatives, District 3′s position is up for election. Incumbent Zach Nunn is running as Republican against Democrat Lanon Baccam. More information on this race can be found on the front page.

The presidential race has six official candidates. Under the Republican ticket is former President Donald J. Trump, running with Ohio Senator JD Vance. Under the Democratic ticket is Vice President Kamala D. Harris, running with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Also running for president is Chase Oliver with running mate Mike ter Maat of the Libertarian party, Claudia de la Cruz with running mate Karina Garcia of the Socialism and Liberation party, William P. Stodden with running mate Stephanie H. Cholesnky of the Socialist party, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and running mate Nicole Shanahan of the We the People party and Shiva Ayyaduari with running mate Crystal Ellis, running under no party.