CONSTITUTION AMENDMENTS, JUDGE RETENTION BALLOTS
Voters in Iowa will consider a pair of constitutional amendments, and a list of judges to retain or dismiss.
Supreme Court justice David May is theonly one on the high court to ace a retention vote today.
State court of appeals justices Tyler Buller, Mary Elizabeth Chicchelly, Samuel Langholz, and Mary Ellen Tabor are up for retention. These judges are considered in statewide balloting.
In Judicial District 3B, which includes Plymouth County, District Court Judge Robert Tiefenthaler, and District Associate Judges Stephanie Forker Parry and Jessica Noll are facing retention votes.
Iowa voters will decide two changes to the state constitution.
One measure clarifies the succession of power when a governor steps down, or passes away, or is removed from office.
The other measure requires that general election voters in Iowa be U.S. citizens, and at least 18 years old. This measure allows 17 year olds to vote in primary elections, if their 18th birthday is before the general election.
BURN BAN LIFTED
The Burn Ban for Plymouth County will be lifted at 8:00am on Wednesday November 6, 2024. The ban was requested on October 1, and implemented on October 2. There were burn bans in 62 Iowa counties in October. Recent cool, damp weather has caused many of these to be lifted. By today, 53 of the bans have been lifted with 9 remaining. 5 of the nine are northwest Iowa: Lyon, Sioxu, O’Brien, Clay, and Woodbury.
OCTOBER BUILDING PERMITS
The Plymouth County Zoning Director says over a million dollars worthof construction was approved for permits in October. Steven G Chapman says two permits were approved for a machine shed at a farm in Marion Township and car storage at a farm in Remsen township. Total value of the construction is estimated at 265-thousand dollars. Seven non-farm construction permits were approved, at a value of 790-thousand dollars. This includes Shed storage, a pole building, porches, a wash bay, a barn, and two garages. 5 of the 7 permits are in Perry Township, the other teo in Elgin and Hungerford townships.
LE MARS COUNCIL
The Le Mars City Council today approved several consent agenda items, including: the council appointment of Wayne Schipper to fill the unexpired term of Duane Walhof on the Civil Service Commission. Schipper will serve until Walhof’s term ends April 1, 2026. The council also approved a request from the Le Mars Police Chief to modify the hiring practices of new officers. Under a new state law, the city council does not have to wait for the expiration of a yearly certified hiring list before making a hiring decision. This change allows applicants to apply year-round for positions in the police department. This hiring list will be suspended for one year, and then the process will be re-evaluated.
SEVERAL CONTESTED SEATS IN THE GENERAL ELECTIONS TODAY
The long political campaign season ends today with voting across the nation, and across Iowa. At the top of the ballot is the race for President between Republican former president Donald Trump and Democrat Vice-President Kamala Harris. There are four races for the U.S. House in Iowa, including in the 4th District between Republican incumbent Randy Feenstra of Hull and Democrat Ryan Melon of Nevada. The two faced off in the general election two years ago.
There are several contested legislative races in northwest Iowa today. In Iowa House District 3, Representative Tom Jeneary of Le Mars seeks re-election. Emma Bouza, a Democrat from Hawarden, is challenging Jeneary for the seat. In House District 13, an open seat which includes southern Plymouth County, Republican Travis Sitzmann of Merrill and Democrat Rosanne Plante of Hinton seek election. In House District 5, Zack Dieken, a Republican from Granville, seeks re-election to a second term. He’s challenged by Mike Schnoes of Sutherland, a no party candidate. In House District 4, Skyler Wheeler of Hull seeks re-election in the newly formed district. In Senate District 2, which includes northern Plymouth County, incumbent Jeff Taylor of Sioux Center seeks re-election. Wheeler and Taylor are running unopposed.
Voters in two Plymouth County school districts will decide on authorizing bond issues. Le Mars voters will consider approval of a nearly 50 million dollars bond issue to help build a k through 5 campus to replace three older elementary schools. In Hinton, voters will consider approval of an 11.9 million dollar bond issue for school building upgrades and additional classrooms.
Polls opened at 7 a.m., and will close at 8 p.m.
KLEM will carry election returns tonight after the polls close. Besides the local races and bond issues, we’ll have reports from Radio Iowa and CBS news on the statewide and national races.
A DOZEN COUNTIES HAVE EMS REFERENDUMS ON THE BALLOT
Voters in a dozen Iowa counties are deciding whether to raise local taxes to support emergency medical services. Page County’s referendum would raise property taxes to support the six ambulance services in the county. That state law was adjusted three years ago, so county-wide referendums may be held to establish a property tax levy that supports emergency medical services. Since November of 2022, voters in 12 counties approved EMS referendums, including Osceola and Ida. Today, voters in 12 more counties will cast their votes on the referendums.
IOWANS VOTING ON DOZENS OF BOND ISSUES TODAY
Voters in 59 counties are deciding bond referendums in this year’s election. Iowa Western Community College president Daniel Kinney says his school is presenting voters with a 55 million dollar plan that does not raise taxes, but maintains a current property tax levy. The plan would expand Iowa Western’s dual enrollment program, so more students could earn college credits while they’re still in high school. It also would double student slots in key transportation-related programs on the Council Bluffs campus and expand other training options. Thirty-one public school districts have bond issues on this year’s General Election ballot. A 165-million dollar plan would consolidate Waterloo’s two high schools. Residents in five counties and nine cities will also decide bonding for local projects, including a new fire station in Fort Madison, a recreation complex in Boone, and a new county jail in Sac County.
CURBSIDE VOTING, SELFIES WITH BALLOTS ALLOWED
Precincts around the state are open from 7 a.m. ’til 8 p.m. and Iowa law requires voters to show a photo I-D, like a driver’s license, in order to cast a ballot. Iowans who’ve moved will have to provide proof of their new residence with a utility bill or some other document that shows their new address. There’s curbside voting for Iowans with mobility issues. Two poll workers, one from each political party, will deliver voting materials outside so the person can mark their ballot while sitting inside their vehicle. Voters are allowed to take selfies with their ballot, with the emphasis on the word selfie. Including someone else in the picture or having someone take a picture of you with your ballot is not permitted.
SEED VAULT IN NE IOWA IS AMONG THE NATION’S LARGEST
Two scientists who helped create an international seed vault received the World Food Prize last week in Des Moines, spotlighting the importance of seed banks, including one in northeast Iowa. The Seed Savers Exchange, based in Decorah, is a collection with more than 20-thousand heirloom varieties of fruits, vegetables, flowers and grains. Mike Bollinger, executive director of the Seed Savers Exchange, says home gardeners and small-scale farmers who save and share heirloom seeds are also vital links to maintaining diversity in our crops. He says this year’s World Food Prize brings attention to seed banks and their role in food security, especially in the face of climate change. The prize went to Geoffrey Hawtin and Cary Fowler, who helped start the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway in 2008. It’s a backup for more than 100 seed banks around the world, including the Seed Savers Exchange.
