Historic Facts and Figures: City Elections, 1975-present

• Turnout
• Highest Vote Totals for Candidates
• Close Elections
• Write-Ins
• Past Election Returns Results for city elections are available on line from 1975 to the present for Iowa City, and since 1979 for other cities.

Turnout

Iowa City set a city election turnout record in 2007 with 15,728 voters.  The old record of 13,366 voters was set in 2005.

Turnout in Recent City Elections

Record Turnout by City, 1977-present
Including special elections

Four cities set new turnout records in 2011: Shueyville, Solon, Tiffin and University Heights.

In 2007, Iowa City District A incumbent Ross Wilburn won 10,449 votes in his uncontested race to set a new record.  At-Large candidate Matt Hayek won 9,485 votes, the new record for a contested race. 

Highest Vote Totals by City, 1977-present

Three Johnson County cities have seen tied elections since 1977, most recently in Hills in 1995.  In the event of a tie, under Iowa law the winner is drawn by lot at the official canvass of votes.

The closest Iowa City election was the 1999 race for Iowa City Council member at large which was decided by two votes.

In a 1983 runoff election for one city council seat in North Liberty, four candidates were within one vote of each other.  Randy Ferdig had 38 votes and three other candidates (two of them write-ins) had 37 votes each.

Closest Elections by City 1977-present

Shueyville was the only city to elect write-in candidates in 2011.  Three city council seats were available, but only one candidate filed.

In 2005, two cities elected write-in candidates who defeated candidates listed on the ballot:

• North Liberty: In the mayor's race, David Franker defeated two candidates listed on the ballot.
• Lone Tree: In a contest to elect three council members, two write in candidates - Rick Ogren and Helen Lemley - were elected, along with Carl Kice Brown who appeared on the ballot.  Two other candidates who appeared on the ballot were defeated.