What's on your Iowa ballot? See the statewide races and how to find a 2024 sample ballot
When you go to vote on Nov. 5, the top of your Iowa ballot will feature known names such as former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris along with their running mates. But as you make your way down the ticket, some races and candidate names may become less familiar.
Not only will 2024 Iowa general election ballots include two proposed constitutional amendments, but some counties also face ballot measures for multi-million dollar bonds for local projects.
Here's a list of races from federal to county on each ballot for Polk, Dallas, Johnson and Story counties.
If you're in another county, you can check your local county auditor's office to see a sample ballot.
Who is David May? Iowa ballots will ask whether the state supreme court justice should be retained.
David May serves on the Iowa Supreme Court and is up for a retention vote for the first time after his appointment by Gov. Kim Reynolds in 2022. Iowa Supreme Court justices face a retention election at the first general election following their appointment. They serve for eight years.
More: What to know about Iowa's November 2024 judicial retention elections
May joined the majority of the court that allowed Iowa's six-week abortion ban to take effect. May received a 65% recommendation score from the Iowa Bar Association survey.
What constitutional amendments are on the Iowa ballot for this election?
Expect to see two constitutional amendments on the ballot this election.
One reduces Iowa's voting age from 21 to 18 years old to coincide with the U.S. Constitution. The amendment is a procedural change because the state must abide by the federal voting age of 18. The measure also proposes changing the language at the beginning of the amendment from “Every citizen of the United States” to “Only a citizen of the United States.”
The second proposed amendment clarifies the line of succession if a governor leaves office. It makes clear that the lieutenant governor would assume the role of governor and be empowered to appoint a new lieutenant governor.
What will be on the Polk County, Iowa, ballot?
Polk County residents will vote on whether to reelect Republican U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn or to send Democrat Lanon Baccam to represent Iowa's 3rd District in Congress.
More: Zach Nunn, Lanon Baccam battle over abortion, immigration in 3rd District debate
There are several Iowa state House and Senate positions on the ballot for Polk County. Polk County auditor and sheriff races will appear on the ballot but are uncontested races.
Find your sample Iowa ballot at the Polk County auditor's website.
What will be on the Dallas County, Iowa, ballot?
Dallas County voters will also see Nunn and Baccam on their ballot. There are several Iowa state House and Senate positions on the ballot for Dallas County.
County sheriff, treasurer and a seat on the board of supervisors are all uncontested races on the ballot this year. The Dallas County auditor and Dallas County attorney will also appear on ballots. Both races are contested and neither feature an incumbent seeking reelection.
2024 Iowa Voter Guide: Find more details on voting and learn more about candidates in local races
Dallas County residents will be asked to vote on a public measure to adopt a general obligation bond for a nearly $57 million criminal court building. Voters will also decide whether the county should increase the number of supervisors from three to five.
Visit the Dallas County website to view sample Iowa ballots for the 2024 elections.
What will be on the Johnson County, Iowa, ballot?
Johnson County ballots will include Republican incumbent Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Democratic candidate Christina Bohannan who are running to represent Iowa's 1st Congressional District. There are several Iowa state House and Senate positions on the ballot for Johnson County.
Three positions in the Johnson County Board of Supervisors are up for election. The county auditor and sheriff's races are on the ballot but uncontested. Johnson County voters will also decide whether to pass a conservation bond for $30 million. The proposed public measure is to develop and improve trails and parks as well as improve air and water quality.
Search for your sample ballot and polling place via the Johnson County website.
What's on the Story County, Iowa, ballot?
Story County residents will vote on whether to reelect Republican U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra or choose Democratic candidate Ryan Melton to represent Iowa's 4th Congressional District. There are several Iowa state House and Senate positions on the ballot for Story County.
A county board of supervisors seat, county auditor and sheriff are all uncontested races on the ballot.
Voters will also have the option to approve a $25 million bond to further protect natural resources in the county. The bond would cover water quality initiatives for rivers and lakes while addressing safety issues and increasing recreational offerings.
Find sample ballots at the Story County election webpage.
Who's not on Iowa ballots in 2024?
Iowans will not find names like Gov. Kim Reynolds or U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley on their ballots this year.
Reynolds was reelected in 2022 for a term that ends in January 2027. She has not said if she will run for reelection in 2026, saying she was focused on electing Republicans this fall.
Ernst was last elected in 2020 to a six-year Senate term. She has said she intends to run for reelection in 2026.
Grassley has four more years on his term after winning reelection in 2022. He would be 95 if he runs for reelection in 2028.
Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17.
This story was updated to add a video.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: How to find your sample ballot for the 2024 election in Iowa
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