Types of Elections

General elections have the most offices and issues on the ballot and usually generate more interest and higher turnout than any other elections.

Most offices on the general election ballot are partisan.  Offices on the ballot include:

• President and Vice President (leap years)

• Governor and Lt. Governor, other statewide officials (non-leap years)

• US Senator and Representative

• State Legislators

• County Officials

Non-partisan offices on the general election ballot are:

• Ag Extension Council

• Soil and Water Conservation Board

• Township Officials

• Judicial retention (yes or no for judges to stay in office)

Many general elections include state constitutional amendments.  City or county issues may also appear on the ballot.

In a primary election, no candidates are elected.  Instead, voters who are affiliated with political parties nominate their candidates to run in the November general election.  (A city primary is not a partisan primary election, and any eligible voter may participate regardless of party affiliation.)

Only voters affiliated with a political party may vote in a primary election, but any Iowa voter may declare or change party affiliation at any time.

Currently, Iowa has two groups with full political party status: the Democratic and Republican parties. State law crated a new category of party called a "political organization" in 2008. These parties do not hold primaries, but are included on voter registration forms. The Greens and Libertarians have qualified as political organizations.

No ballot issues or non-partisan offices may be included with a primary election.

City Elections

 

When:	November, odd numbered years
Next City Election:	November 5, 2013
Last City Election:	November 8, 2011
Where to Vote:	Regular Polling Place
Polling Place Hours:	7 AM - 8 PM in most cities
Registration Deadline:	Election Day (as of 1/1/08)
Pre-registration Deadline:	11 days before election (Friday) 5 PM
Who May Vote:	Voters residing in cities
Partisan Election?	No
Early/Absentee Voting Allowed?	Yes
Paid for by:	Cities

City council members and mayors are chosen in city elections.  Cities may also include public measure questions on the ballot.

The number of council members and length of terms varies by city.  City Elected Officials

Some cities in Iowa require runoff elections if no candidate wins a majority of the vote.  Some Johnson County cities used to have this requirement, but all have abolished it.

Some small cities may choose to open polling places at noon instead of 7 AM.

City Primary Elections

 

When:	October, odd numbered years, if required
Next City Primary, if needed:	October 8, 2013
Last City Primary:	October 11, 2011 (Iowa City only)
Where to Vote:	Regular Polling Place
Polling Place Hours:	7 AM - 8 PM
Registration Deadline:	Election Day (as of 1/1/08) (Friday) 5 PM
Pre-registration Deadline:	11 days before election
Who May Vote:	Voters residing in appropriate city or district
Partisan Election?	No
Early/Absentee Voting Allowed?	Yes
Paid for by:	Cities

Two Johnson County cities require primary elections to narrow the field of candidates if enough candidates run.

• Iowa City, At Large Seats: Two seats every two years.  Primary required if 5 or more candidates file.  Top 4 advance to city election.  All voters in the city may vote.

• Iowa City District Seats: Primary required in a district if 3 or more candidates file.  Only voters in the district may vote.  Top 2 advance to final city election, in which all city voters may vote on the district race.  More on Iowa City Council Districts

• University Heights, Mayor: Primary required if three or more candidates file.  Top two candidates advance to city election.

• University Heights, City Council: Five seats elected at large.  Primary required if 11 or more candidates file.  Top 10 candidates advance to city election.

A city primary is not a partisan primary election, and any eligible voter may participate regardless of party affiliation.

School elections are held in September to elect school board members and community college directors.  Instructional support levy measures are often included in school elections.

School board elections used to be held every year. However, in 2008 state law was changed. School board terms were extended to four years and elections will be held in odd-numbered years only. 2010 was the first year with no school election.

School elections cannot be combined with any other type of election.

School districts in Johnson County combine precincts for school elections, so many voters have a different polling place for school elections than for all other elections. Some small school districts may choose to open polling places at noon instead of 7 AM.

Special elections may occur for a number of different reasons.  Examples of recent special elections in Johnson County include:

• Local option sales tax

• Vacancy in city, county, or legislative office

• Bond issue

• Physical plant/equipment levy

• School district merger

• Special election called by act of state legislature to consider constitutional amendments

• Utility franchise

The Iowa presidential caucuses, which have traditionally been the first event in the presidential nomination process, are conducted by the political parties and not by our office.  You must be registered to vote to participate in the caucuses, but you may register or change your registration at the caucus site.  You must register with the party whose caucus you attend (only registered Democrats can participate in the Democratic caucus, only registered Republicans can participate in the Republican caucus).

The political parties also hold caucuses in non-presidential years to elect precinct chairs and other party officials, discuss party platforms, and conduct other business. The parties are not required by law to hold their caucuses on the same date, but have traditionally done so.

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