Early Voting Open for Local Elections

October 10, 2019

Iowans have the opportunity to elect representatives to school, city and countywide offices in person on Nov. 5, but early in-person and absentee-by-mail voting has started. Some ballots include community college board of trustees members and whether a school board should have to include a revenue purpose statement specifying the use of dollars from the statewide penny for infrastructure. Although local elections don't generally garner media attention, the candidates who you elect do have the most ability to alter the amount of taxes you pay as a business property owner and as a homeowner. The majority of revenue from the property taxes you pay go to schools and cities. Make sure you know the candidates and understand where they stand on business issues important to your company. If local chambers are hosting a forum, take time to attend and ask questions, read the biographies printed in local papers and look for the sample ballot in the newspaper or online. If you aren’t yet registered to vote, or not sure where to go on election day, go to iavotes.com or sos.iowa.gov for more information.