EDITOR’S NOTE: Tuesday, June 7, is Primary Election Day in Iowa. Scott County polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The auditor’s office suggests voters check if their polling place has changed and remember to bring their Voter ID card. Democrats and Republicans in Scott, Clinton and Muscatine counties who vote in the […]
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EDITOR'S NOTE: Tuesday, June 7, is Primary Election Day in Iowa. Scott County polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The auditor's office suggests voters check if their polling place has changed and remember to bring their Voter ID card.
Democrats and Republicans in Scott, Clinton and Muscatine counties who vote in the Tuesday, June 7, primary election in Iowa will find contested races for Congress, the U.S. Senate and some Iowa state senate and house seats.
Both the primary and midterm general election on Tuesday, Nov. 8, have the potential to tip the balance of power in Washington if they chip away the Democrats’ majorities in Congress and the Senate. Political analysts also are keeping an eye on governors’ races and contests for state house and senate seats across the nation.
This election, too, voters are being reminded by candidates and election authorities to be sure their districts or polling places have not changed due to the recent decennial legislative redistricting.
In Iowa, voters also should be aware that there are a few changes in the law that, if not followed, could impact whether their votes are counted.Â
Among other things, the new rules that were approved last year by the Iowa Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Kim Reynolds cut Iowa’s early voting period from 29 days to 20. As a result, county auditors are urging Iowans who plan to vote absentee not to delay filling out an absentee ballot form or mailing it to your county auditor. Those offices must receive the form by 5 p.m. 15 days before Election Day for it to be counted. That means by Monday, May 23, for Iowa’s primary election and by Monday, Oct. 24, to vote in November’s midterm election.
Voters also should note that new rules require polls in Iowa to close one hour earlier at 8 p.m. rather than 9 p.m.
Those who do vote on June 7 will find a ballot topped by a crowded race for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley.Â
Iowa’s longest-serving senator, the 88-year-old Republican leader faces a primary challenge from Iowa state Sen. Jim Carlin. The winner of the GOP primary will face the winner of a Democratic primary that features these candidates: Former U.S. Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer, Admiral Michael Franken, and Dr. Glenn Hurst.
Among the races for Congress in the three-county Quad Cities region only one is contested. In District 3, Republicans who are running for a chance to unseat Democratic incumbent Rep. Cindy Axne are: Nicole Hasso, Gary Leffler, and Zach Nunn.
In addition, voters in the Iowa Quad Cities will find the following contested primaries:
- Iowa Senate District 47: For the GOP, LeClaire City Council Member Barry Long is running against Bettendorf Alderman Scott Webster for the chance to face Democrat Dr. Mary Figaro, of Bettendorf, who is running unopposed.
- Iowa Senate District 41: In the GOP primary, Kerry Gruenhagen, Walcott, faces Alan Weets, of Mechanicsville. For the Democrats, Deb VanderGaast, of Tipton, faces Nikole Tutton, of Mechanicsville.
- Iowa House District 81: Sean Hanley and Luana Stoltenberg, both of Davenport, are running for the Republican nomination The winner will face former Quad Cities journalist and former Genesis spokesman Craig Lynn Cooper, a Democrat from Davenport.
