Election is (finally) Nov. 3

By APRIL KELLEY
In case anyone hasn’t been able to tell following the last month of nonstop election ads, the midterm elections will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m.

Anyone who requested an absentee ballot needs to mail it so that it is received by 8 p.m. on election day, Nov. 3.

In-person absentee voting can be done in the Auditor’s Office with the last day to vote absentee on Monday, Nov. 2 at 5 p.m.

The Auditor’s office will be open on one Saturday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for absentee voting.

Those wishing to vote in person on Tuesday, Nov. 3 may do so at one of six precinct polling locations from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.:
Precinct 1: Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 1212 Sumner Avenue, Humboldt.
Precinct 2 - H2: Humboldt Community Center, 607 1st Avenue South, Humboldt.
Precinct 3 - H3: Events Center, Humboldt County Fairgrounds, 311 6th Avenue North, Humboldt.
Precinct 4: Faith United Methodist Church, 111 SE 2nd Street, Gilmore City.
Precinct 5: American Legion, Otto Field Post 415, 308 4th Avenue, Livermore
Precinct 6: VFW Hall, 412 Main Street, Dakota City.
Anyone who is unsure of their assigned precinct can find it listed at https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx or by contacting the Auditor’s Office at 515-332-1571.

Any voter who is physically unable to enter a polling location has the right to request curbside service by calling the Auditor’s Office at the number listed above. Anyone needing to review a precinct map or with questions about voting may contact the Humboldt County Auditor’s Office at (515) 332- 1571.

Candidates

State offices
The biggest race in Iowa this year has been for the Governor’s seat vacated when Governor Kim Reynolds chose not to run again for another term.

The candidates who have thrown their hat in the ring include Democrat Rob Sand and his running mate Dave Muhlbauer; Republican Zach Lahn and his running mate Derek Wulf.

Running for Secretary of State is Democrat Ryan Peterman running against incumbent Republican Paul D. Pate.

State Treasurer race includes Democrat John Norwood against incumbent Republican Roby Smith.

Secretary of Agriculture sees Democrat Chris Jones against incumbent Republican Mike Naig.

The State Auditor office vacated by Rob Sand has Democrat Taylor Wettach squaring off against Republican Chris Cournoyer.

The Attorney General race includes Democrat Nate Willems against incumbent Republican Brenna Bird.

The two candidates running for State Representative District 56 is Democrat Kyle Kruse against incumbent Republican Mark I. Thompson.

Federal Offices
There are a couple of federal offices on the ballot in Iowa. The first is for United States Senator includes Democrat Josh Turek running against incumbent, Republican Ashley Hinson and Libertarian Thomas Laehn.
The United States Representative District 4 seat was vacated by Randy Feenstra who made a failed attempt at the Iowa Governors seat. The ballot has Democrat Dave Dawson against Republican Chris McGowan.

Local offices
In the local races, several seats are up for re-election, all running unopposed. The County Board of Supervisors has three incumbents, all Republicans who are running. Bruce Reimers, District 1; Dennis Thompson, District 2 and Rick Pedersen, District 3.

The three county offices that are on the ballot are also Republican incumbents who are running unopposed. They include: County Treasurer, Jana Pettinger; County Recorder, Nicole Niemeyer; County Attorney, Jon Beaty.

Non-Partisan offices.
Many of the township positions do not have a candidate but instead require a write in vote.

Those offices who have a candidate include: James Day for Avery Township Clerk; Adam Parle for Beaver Township Trustee; Pat Hill for Beaver Township Clerk; Ryan Foth for Humboldt Township Trustee; Shawna Crahan for Humboldt; Mark Hansen for Lake Township Trustee; Matthew Nervig for Lake Township Trustee (to fill a vancancy); Robert A, Rasmussen for Lake Township Clerk; Gordy Mersch for Norway Township Trustee; Nick Torkelson for Norway Township Clerk; Gary D. Jensen for Rutland Township Trustee; Joel Tille for Rutland Township Trustee (To fill a vacancy); Brett Kampen for Rutland Township Clerk; Daniel J. Anliker for Vernon Township;
Blaine Thompson for Wacousta Township Trustee

Remaining without a candidate and requiring a write-in vote includes: Avery Township Trustee; Corinth Township Trustee; Corinth Township Clerk; Delana Township Trustee; Delana Township Trustee; Delana Township Clerk; Grove Township Trustee, Grove Township Clerk; Vernon Township Clerk; Wacousta Township Clerk; Weaver Township Trustee; Weaver Township Clerk.

Four candidates are up for re-election for Humboldt County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees all unopposed; David Boswell, Karen Berte, Scott Curran, Kevin Bornhoft.

Two candidates are running for the two seats for Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner; James Sayers, Jeff Helvick.

County Agricultural Extension Council as four candidates for four seats; Ethan Murrow, Chelsea Nostrom, Brad Frerk, Robert Abens.

Joel Rasmussen is the single candidate for the County Agricultural Extension Council seat.

There are a number of judges who are on the ballot to retain their offices. Those include:

Court of Appeals Judges: Julie A. Schumacher, Sharon Soorholtz Greer and John M. Sandy.

District 2B Judges; Angela L. Doyle, Amy Moore Christopher Polking, Ashley Sparks, Bethany Currie.

District 2B Associate Judge; Stephen A. Owen, Joseph L. Tofilon.

Constitutional Amendment

Shall the following amendment to the Constitution be adopted?
1. Summary: Provides that any bill to increase the individual income tax rate or the corporate income tax rate, or the rate of any other type of tax based upon income or legal and special reserves, shall require the affirmative votes of at least two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the legislature for passage. Further, the two-thirds majority vote requirement applies to the passage of a bill to establish a new tax on any type of income or legal and special reserves imposed by the state. The requirement excludes taxes imposed at the option of a local government. A lawsuit challenging the proper enactment of a bill under this section must be filed no later than one year following the enactment.

Full Text: The Constitution of the State of Iowa is amended by adding the following new section to new Article XIII:

Passage of a bill that increases the individual income tax rate or the corporate income tax rate, or the rate of any other type of tax based upon income or legal and special reserves, shall require the affirmative votes of at least two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the general assembly. This requirement does not apply to taxes imposed at the option of a local government. Passage of a bill that establishes a new tax on any type of income or legal and special reserves imposed by the state shall require the affirmative votes of at least two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the general assembly. A lawsuit challenging the proper enactment of a bill under this section must be filed no later than one year following the enactment. If such a lawsuit is not filed within the one-year limit, the bill shall be considered properly enacted under this section. Each bill to which this section applies must include a separate provision describing the requirements for enactment prescribed by this section. The general assembly shall enact laws to implement this section.