Iowa: Running for Office
From dKosopedia
Contents |
School Board
School elections are held separately from other elections, and the next one will be on September 9, 2008. Filing period: July 7 - July 31, 2008. Petitions must be filed by 5PM at the school district office. Signature requirements: 1% of the registered voters in the school district (as of May 1 of election year) or 50 signatures, whichever is less.
- School Board Candidate Guide (PDF)
- School Election Info - from the Secretary of State.
Starting in 2009, the terms of school board members will be extended from three years to four, and elections will only be held in odd numbered years. However, every school board is free to make its own plans for this transition, so the 2008 election will have wide disparities in the number of seats on the ballot, and the lengths of their terms.
Local Offices
Local elections in Iowa are non-partisan, and they are held in odd numbered years. The General election is on the first Tuesday in November, but some cities also hold Primaries, while others hold Runoffs. In addition, some cities allow for citizen petitions to be placed on the ballot. Check with your County Auditor for election dates and filing requirements.
County Offices
Partisan Offices
Partisan Offices on the ballot in 2008 -
- Auditor
- Sheriff
- some County Supervisors
Partisan Offices on the ballot in 2010 -
- Treasurer
- Recorder
- County Attorney
- some County Supervisors
- Township Trustees.
Petition Requirements - Usually 100 signatures for a party primary, but check with your county auditor.
Filing Deadlines for County Offices (in 2008)
- March 3 - March 26 Primary Election
- August 4 - August 27 General Election
(All petitions must be filed by 5PM at the county auditor's office.)
Non-partisan Offices Elected at the General Election
- Agricultural Extension Council
- Soil & Water Conservation Board
Petition Requirements - usually 25 signatures, but check with your county auditor. Filing Period: August 4-27, 2008 for November 4, 2008 general election at the county auditor's office.
State Legislature
State Senate - State Senators are elected for four year terms. In 2008, twenty five seats will be on the ballot, including the even numbered seats from 1-50. There are currently 30 Ds and 20 Rs in the State Senate.
State House - State Representatives are elected for two year terms, and in 2008 all 100 seats are on the ballot. There are currently 53 Ds, and 47 Rs.
List of Legislators and District Maps
Petition Requirements - 100 signatures from within the district for Senate seats, and 50 signatures from within the district for House seats.
Filing Deadlines for State Legislative Races in 2008
- February 26 - March 14 Primary Election
- July 28 - August 15 General Election
(All petitions must be filed by 5PM at the Sec. of State's office in Des Moines.)
Statewide Offices
Iowa's Statewide Officers are elected for four year terms during the mid-term elections.
- Governor
- Lt. Gov. - Candidates are nominated by party conventions.
- Secretary of State
- Auditor
- Treasurer
- Secretary of Agriculture
- Attorney Geneneral
The rules for filing a valid petition for governor are complex, and can be found at the Secretary of State's Office.
Petition requirements for all other Statewide offices (besides Governor): 1000 signatures, with at least 50 from each of 10 counties.
Filing Deadlines for All Statewide Races in 2006
- February 27 - March 17 Primary Election
- July 31 - August 18 General Election
(All petitions must be filed by 5PM at the Sec. of State's office in Des Moines.)
Federal Offices
US Senate - Senator Harkin is running for re-election.
US House - Iowa has five Representatives in Congress, and they are elected every two years.
The rules for filing a valid petition federal offices are complex, and can be found at the Secretary of State's Office.
Filing Deadlines for Federal Races in 2008
- March 14 Primary Election
- August 15 General Election
(All petitions must be filed by 5PM at the Sec. of State's office in Des Moines.)
General Information for All Candidates
Campaign Finance Information
You must file a report with the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board within ten days of raising $750. Also, candidates for statewide office must file a personal financial disclosure form.
General Candidate Information
Here are two good external links for Candidate Qualifications, Filing Deadlines and Signature Requirements:
- Johnson County Auditor: Ballot Access and Candidate Qualifications
- Secretary of State Elections Page
Voter Information
How to Register
Fill out a voter registration form and mail it to your county auditors office. Voter registration forms are also available in most telephone directories and public libraries. A list of all the auditors offices is available from the Secretary of State or you can call toll free (888) 767-8683. If you move from one county to another, then you must re-register in your new county of residence before the deadline. These are external links:
Where to Vote
Contact your county auditor to find your polling place. Note that sometimes the polling place for school elections is different than for primary and general elections - ask your auditor if you are not sure where to vote.
Voter Qualifications
U.S. citizens are eligible to register to vote in the county where they live. You may register at age 17 ½, but you must be 18 years old to vote. In the past, under Iowa law, anyone convicted of a felony or aggravated misdemeanor lost the right to vote and hold public office; however, in July 2005, Gov. Vilsack issued an order that automatically restored a felon's rights once he or she had completed their sentence.
Voter Registration Deadlines
- August 29, 2008 Last day to register for the school election.
- Sept. 9, 2008 School Election day (7AM-8PM). (see Where to Vote - above)
- Oct. 25, 2008 Last day to register for the general election.
- Nov. 11, 2008 General Election day (7AM-9PM).
(the cutoff time is 5PM for every date)
Starting in 2008, Iowa will have same day registration.
