Election Day is Nov. 5, and early voting in Iowa starts Oct. 16. Here are the top races in the Des Moines metro we are watching, as well as how to vote.
Why it matters: Iowa's competitive U.S. House races are being closely watched nationwide.
- There are also several tight state legislative races in the metro.
Voting in Iowa
- Early, in-person absentee voting will begin Oct. 16 until the day before the election. Early voting can be done at your county auditor's office or special satellite locations. Satellite locations for Polk and Dallas counties.
- Mail-in ballot requests must be turned in by Oct. 21. Learn more about requesting a ballot and turning it in .
- Those voting on Election Day can register on-site with proof of ID and residence. Find your polling site , which will be open from 7am-8pm
Iowa's 3rd Congressional District
Photo illustration: Maura Losch/Axios. Photos: Courtesy of the Baccam and Nunn campaigns
The southwest Iowa district represents a big chunk of the Des Moines metro, including Polk and Dallas Counties — and is one of the nation's few toss-up House districts.
State of play: Democratic challenger and former USDA official Lanon Baccam is challenging the Republican incumbent, Zach Nunn.
- Baccam served in the military and Nunn was an Iowa state senator and Air Force officer.
What we're watching: It's a highly competitive race, with a lot of money involved.
- Election forecaster Cook Political Report changed its rating from leans Republican to a toss-up in October.
The big picture: This is Nunn's first re-election bid since he first took office in 2022 after ousting Democrat Cindy Axne.
- The seat has been competitive for a few cycles. Axne narrowly gained her seat in 2018 after beating Republican U.S. Rep. David Young.
Constitutional amendments on the ballot
Sara Grillo/Axios Illustrations
Besides electing a new president, Iowa voters will decide this year whether to make two amendments to the state's constitution .
Gubernatorial line of succession:
- This proposed amendment would repeal and replace a section of the state constitution that governs what happens when an Iowa governor resigns, dies or is removed from office.
- The amendment would allow the lieutenant governor to take over as governor, then appoint someone to become lieutenant governor — but some protest that this will result in a less democratic process.
Voting rights
- This proposed amendment would codify that 17-year-olds who are 18 by the general election are allowed to vote in primaries, and it would officially change the voting age from 21 to 18 (though that has already been in practice).
- As some Democrats and local voting advocates have recently pointed out, it also amounts to a ban on noncitizens voting — which is unnecessary since noncitizen voting is already illegal in the U.S.
Suburban legislative races we're watching
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
Ankeny:
Incumbent Democratic Iowa Rep. Heather Matson and Republican Heather Stephenson are vying for Iowa House District 42.
- Matson won in 2018, unseating longtime Republican incumbent Kevin Koester, but lost in 2020 to newcomer Garrett Gobble.
- She went on to defeat Gobble in a rematch in 2022, setting up this year's tight race.
Johnston/Urbandale:
Democrat Matt Blake and incumbent Republican Brad Zaun are running for Iowa Senate District 22.
- Zaun is running for his sixth term and Blake is currently an Urbandale councilperson. The area is now more moderate after redistricting in 2021, making it a close race.
West Des Moines/Waukee:
Democratic incumbent Sarah Trone Garriott and Republican Mark Hanson , a Dallas County supervisor, are campaigning for Senate District 14.
- Garriott ousted former Iowa Senate President Jake Chapman in 2022, despite the area encompassing more conservative rural areas like Adel.
Polk County races to watch
Photos: Courtesy of John Forbes (left) and Jill Altringer (right)
Polk County supervisors District 2
Republican Jill Altringer and Democratic Iowa Rep. John Forbes are running for Supervisor Robert Brownell's seat. (He is retiring after his wife's dementia diagnosis.) The area comprises the Urbandale and Johnston areas.
- Altringer says the most important issue in the county is economic uncertainty and wants to cut the property tax levy.
- Forbes says the mental health crisis, homelessness and food insecurity are the biggest problems and wants to focus on programs to help support vulnerable populations, the Register reports .
Polk County supervisors District 3
Photos: Courtesy of Kim Hagemann (left) and Mark Holm (right)
Ankeny Mayor Mark Holm and Democrat Kim Hagemann are running for District 3, representing Ankeny and Altoona. The seat was held by incumbent Republican Steve Van Oort, who lost the primary against Holm.
- Holm, a Republican, is running on lowering property taxes and levy rates, while Hageman says she wants to keep suburban sprawl in check and focus funding on public services like schools, fire stations and emergency management, the Register reports .
Dallas County
A map of Iowa with campaign buttons. Axios Visuals.
Dallas County voters will decide if their board of supervisors should expand to five seats , from its current three.
- If the measure passes, supervisors will represent distinct districts in the county on a newly-drawn map.
Democrat Meggan Guns and Republican Matt Schultz are also running for county attorney in an open race. Read more .
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