Consideration of Changes to the City's Election NominationCity of Dubuque
City Council
ACTION ITEMS # 7.
Copyrighted
March 2, 2026
ITEM TITLE:
Consideration of Changes to the City's Election Nomination
Process
SUMMARY:
City Clerk providing information for City Council consideration
of a change to the City's nomination process for elective
office.
SUGGUESTED
Receive and File; Council
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Memo
2. Iowa Code Chapter 45 - Nomination by Petition
3. Iowa Code Chapter 376 - City Elections
4. Example Ordinance for Nomination by Petition (Chapter 45) -Des Moines
5. Example Ordinance for Nomination by Petition (Chapter 45) - Polk City
6. Additional Nomination by Petition Code Examples
7. Additional Nomination by Petition Code Examples -Updated 3.2.26
8. Election Costs Since 2019-Uploaded 3.2.26
9. Written Input -Uploaded 3.2.26
Page 903 of 939
Dubuque
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TO: Mayor Brad M. Cavanagh and Members of the City Council
FROM: Adrienne Breitfelder, City Clerk
DATE: February 24, 2026
RE: Consideration of Changes to the City's Election Nomination Process
Iowa Code Section 376.3 requires candidates for city office to be nominated through a
process that includes a primary election unless the city adopts an alternative nomination
method by ordinance. The City of Dubuque has historically used the primary process,
which is triggered when more than twice the number of candidates file for a position.
State law provides two alternative nomination processes in Chapters 44 and 45. Chapter
44 relies on conventions and caucuses and is therefore not recommended for
municipalities. Most cities that do not hold primaries use the Chapter 45
nomination -by -petition method. All other municipalities within Dubuque County utilize
Chapter 45 as their nomination process.
Under Chapter 45, candidates in a municipality the size of Dubuque must submit at least
75 signatures of eligible electors of the city or ward to appear on the ballot for the
November city election. If the City Council chooses to adopt Chapter 45 as the nomination
process, it must also decide whether to include a runoff provision in the ordinance. If a
runoff provision is included, any race in which no candidate receives a simple majority in
the city election, meaning at least one vote more than 50% of the total votes cast, would
require a runoff four weeks later. The runoff would include the top vote -getters, up to twice
the number of open seats. If the City Council chooses not to include a runoff provision,
the candidate(s) receiving the highest number of votes would be elected to each term.
Primary elections are significantly more expensive for the City because the City bears the
full cost, whereas the November election cost is shared with the Dubuque Community
School District since it is a combined city/school election. If the City Council chose the
Chapter 45 nomination process and included a runoff provision, the costs of a runoff
would be comparable to a primary.
The following table summarizes the most recent costs of a primary election compared to
a city/school election. In 2023, a primary was not required.
.-
Primary
$34,132.83
N/A
$39,982.35
General (City/School
$8,574.55
$13,924.61
$18,334.06
Page 904 of 939
Based on these costs, eliminating the primary provision and adopting a Chapter 45
nomination process without a runoff could save the City nearly $40,000 every other fiscal
year, in addition to potential savings any time a special election is required to fill a
vacancy.
This memo is intended to provide background for a discussion on whether to consider a
change to the City's nomination process. If the Council wishes to proceed with the
Chapter 45 nomination process, they must determine whether to include a runoff
provision. If City Council decides to alter the current nomination process, staff would then
prepare an ordinance for future consideration. Adoption of an ordinance is required for
the Dubuque County Elections Office to formally confirm and administer any nomination
method other than the primary process.
Cc: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Jenny Hillary, Dubuque County Deputy Commissioner of Elections
2
Page 905 of 939
NOMINATIONS BY PETITION, §45.1
CHAPTER 45
NOMINATIONS BY PETITION
Referred to in §39.3, 39.28, 39A.1, 39A.2, 39A.6, 43.2, 43.112, 43.121, 44.4, 44.17, 47.1, 49.104, 53.23, 161A.5, 260C.15, 260C.39, 275.35,
277.3, 296.4, 298.18, 303.49, 331.254, 347.25, 357H.6, 357J.16, 360.1, 372.2, 376.1, 376.3, 376.6, 376.8, 420.137
45.1
Nominations by petition.
45.2
Adding name by petition.
45.3
Affidavit of candidacy.
See also definitions in §39.3
45.4 Filing — presumption —
withdrawals — objections.
45.5 Form of nomination papers.
45.6 Requirements in signing.
45.1 Nominations by petition.
1. Nominations for candidates for president and vice president, governor and lieutenant
governor, and for United States senator may be made by nomination petitions signed by not
less than three thousand five hundred eligible electors, including at least one hundred eligible
electors each from at least nineteen counties of the state.
2. Nominations for candidates for statewide offices other than those listed in subsection
1 may be made by nomination petitions signed by not less than two thousand five hundred
eligible electors, including at least seventy-seven eligible electors from not less than eighteen
counties of the state.
3. Nominations for candidates for a representative in the United States house of
representatives may be made by nomination petitions signed by not less than one thousand
seven hundred twenty-six eligible electors who are residents of the congressional district,
including at least forty-seven eligible electors each from at least one-half of the counties in
the congressional district.
4. Nominations for candidates for the state senate may be made by nomination petitions
signed by not less than one hundred eligible electors who are residents of the senate district.
5. Nominations for candidates for the state house of representatives may be made by
nomination petitions signed by not less than fifty eligible electors who are residents of the
representative district.
6. Nominations for candidates for offices filled by the voters of a whole county may be
made by nomination petitions signed by eligible electors who are residents of the county as
follows:
a. For a county with a population of fifteen thousand or fewer according to the most recent
federal decennial census, nomination petitions shall include at least fifty signatures.
b. For a county with a population of greater than fifteen thousand but fewer than fifty
thousand according to the most recent federal decennial census, nomination petitions shall
include at least seventy-five signatures.
c. For a county with a population of fifty thousand or greater according to the most recent
federal decennial census, nomination petitions shall include at least one hundred signatures.
7. Nominations for candidates for the office of county supervisor elected by the voters of
a supervisor district may be made by nomination petitions signed by eligible electors who are
residents of the supervisor district as follows:
a. For a supervisor district with a population of fifteen thousand or fewer according to the
most recent federal decennial census, nomination petitions shall include at least twenty-one
signatures.
b. For a supervisor district with a population of greater than fifteen thousand but no
more than fifty thousand according to the most recent federal decennial census, nomination
petitions shall include at least fifty signatures.
c. For a supervisor district with a population of greater than fifty thousand according to the
most recent federal decennial census, nomination petitions shall include at least one hundred
signatures.
8. a. Nomination papers for the offices of president and vice president shall include the
names of the candidates for both offices on each page of the petition. A certificate listing the
names of the candidates for presidential electors, one from each congressional district and
Tue Dec 09 22:31:10 2025
Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 4 23ge2606 of 939
§45.1, NOMINATIONS BY PETITION
two from the state at large, shall be filed in the state commissioner's office at the same time
the nomination papers are filed.
b. Nomination papers for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor shall include
the names of candidates for both offices on each page of the petition. Nomination papers for
other statewide elected offices and all other offices shall include the name of the candidate
on each page of the petition.
9. Nominations for candidates for elective offices in cities where the council has adopted
nominations under this chapter may be submitted as follows:
a. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 10, in cities having a population of
twenty-five thousand or greater according to the most recent federal decennial census,
nominations may be made by nomination papers signed by not less than seventy-five eligible
electors who are residents of the city or ward.
b. In cities having a population of seven thousand five hundred or greater, but less than
twenty-five thousand, according to the most recent federal decennial census, nominations
may be made by nomination papers signed by not less than fifty eligible electors who are
residents of the city or ward.
c. In cities having a population of two thousand five hundred or greater, but less than seven
thousand five hundred, according to the most recent federal decennial census, nominations
may be made by nomination papers signed by not less than twenty-five eligible electors who
are residents of the city or ward.
d. In cities having a population of less than two thousand five hundred, according to the
most recent federal decennial census, nominations maybe made by nomination papers signed
by not less than ten eligible electors who are residents of the city or ward.
10. Nominations for candidates, other than partisan candidates, for elective offices in
special charter cities subject to section 43.112 may be submitted as follows:
a. For the office of mayor and alderman at large, nominations maybe made by nomination
papers signed by seventy-five eligible electors residing in the city.
b. For the office of ward alderman, nominations may be made by nomination papers
signed by seventy-five eligible electors residing in the ward.
[C97, §1100; C24, §651; C27, 31, 35, §655-a17; C39, §655.17; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73,
75, 77, 79, 81, §45.1; 81 Acts, ch 34, §7]
86 Acts, ch 1224, §7; 88 Acts, ch 1119, §10, 11; 89 Acts, ch 136, §27; 93 Acts, ch 143, §8; 94
Acts, ch 1180, §10; 2007 Acts, ch 25, §2; 2008 Acts, ch 1032, §201; 2009 Acts, ch 57, §10; 2020
Acts, ch 1062, § 18; 2021 Acts, ch 12, § 16, 17, 73, 74; 2021 Acts, ch 147, §20, 54; 2021 Acts, ch
174, §31, 34, 37; 2022 Acts, ch 1004, §2 - 4; 2022 Acts, ch 1153, §5
Referred to in §43.20, 45.6
45.2 Adding name by petition.
The name of a candidate placed upon the ballot by any other method than by petition shall
not be added by petition for the same office in the same election.
[C97, §1100; C24, §651; C27, 31, 35, §655-a18; C39, §655.18; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73,
75, 77, 79, 81, §45.2]
Other methods, chapters 43, 44
45.3 Affidavit of candidacy.
Each candidate shall complete and file a signed, notarized affidavit of candidacy. The
affidavit shall be filed at the same time as the nomination petition. The affidavit shall be in
the form prescribed by the secretary of state and shall include the following information:
1. The candidate's name in the form the candidate wants it to appear on the ballot.
2. The candidate's home address.
3. The name of the county in which the candidate resides.
4. The name of the political organization by which the candidate was nominated, if any.
5. The office sought by the candidate, and the district the candidate seeks to represent, if
any.
6. A declaration that if the candidate is elected the candidate will qualify by taking the
oath of office.
Tue Dec 09 22:31:10 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 4 13g'A07 of 939
NOMINATIONS BY PETITION, §45.5
7. A statement that the candidate is aware that the candidate is required to organize a
candidate's committee which shall file an organization statement and disclosure reports
if the committee or the candidate receives contributions, makes expenditures, or incurs
indebtedness in excess of the reporting threshold in section 68A.102, subsection 5. This
subsection shall not apply to candidates for federal office.
8. A statement that the candidate is aware of the prohibition in section 49.41 against
being a candidate for more than one office to be filled at the same election, except county
agricultural extension council and soil and water conservation district commission.
9. A statement that the candidate is aware that the candidate is disqualified from
holding office if the candidate has been convicted of a felony or other infamous crime and
the candidate's rights have not been restored by the governor or by the president of the
United States. This subsection does not apply to candidates for federal office. The state
commissioner shall prescribe a separate affidavit of candidacy for candidates for federal
office.
10. A statement that the candidate is aware that by filing this affidavit, the candidate is
ineligible to appear on the same ballot for the same office other than as a candidate nominated
by petition.
[C97, §1100; C24, §651; C27, 31, 35, §655-a19; C39, §655.19; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73,
§45.3; C75, §45.3, 56.5(4); C77, 79, 81, §45.3; 81 Acts, ch 35, §18]
87 Acts, ch 221, §6; 89 Acts, ch 136, §28; 90 Acts, ch 1238, §9; 91 Acts, ch 129, §9; 94 Acts,
ch 1023, §79; 94 Acts, ch 1180, § 11; 98 Acts, ch 1052, §4; 2001 Acts, ch 158, §9; 2002 Acts, ch
1134, §14, 115; 2025 Acts, ch 123, §6, 38
Referred to in §39.22, 49.41, 357.13, 358.9, 376.11
Subsection 9 amended
NEW subsection 10
45.4 Filing - presumption - withdrawals - objections.
The time and place of filing nomination petitions, the presumption of validity thereof, the
right of a candidate so nominated to withdraw and the effect of such withdrawal, and the
right to object to the legal sufficiency of such petitions, or to the eligibility of the candidate,
shall be governed by the law relating to nominations by political organizations which are not
political parties.
[C97, § 1104; SS 15, § 1104; C24, §652, 654, 655; C27, 31, 35, §655-a20; C39, §655.20; C46,
50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §45.4]
Statutes applicable, chapter 44
45.5 Form of nomination papers.
1. Nomination papers shall include a petition and an affidavit of candidacy. All nomination
petitions shall be eight and one-half by eleven inches in size and shall be in substantially the
form prescribed by the state commissioner of elections. They shall provide spaces for the
following information:
a. A statement identifying the signers of the petition as eligible electors of the appropriate
ward, city, county, school district or school district director district, or legislative district and
of the state of Iowa.
b. The name of the candidate nominated by the petition.
c. A statement that the candidate is or will be a resident of the appropriate ward, city,
county, school district, or legislative or other district as required by section 39.27.
d. The office sought by the candidate, including the district number, if any.
e. The name and date of the election for which the candidate is nominated.
2. a. Signatures on a petition page shall be counted only if the information required in
subsection 1 is written or printed at the top of the page.
b. Nomination papers on behalf of candidates for seats in the general assembly need only
designate the number of the senatorial or representative district, as appropriate, and not the
county or counties, in which the candidate and the petitioners reside.
c. A signature line in a nomination petition shall not be counted if the line lacks the
signature of the eligible elector and the signer's residential address, with street and number,
if any, and city. A signature line shall not be counted if an eligible elector supplies only a
Tue Dec 09 22:31:10 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 4V223g'A08 of 939
§45.5, NOMINATIONS BY PETITION
partial address or a post office box address, or if the signer's address is obviously outside the
boundaries of the appropriate ward, city, school district or school district director district,
legislative district, or other district.
d. A signature line shall not be counted if any of the required information is crossed
out or redacted at the time the nomination papers are filed with the state commissioner or
commissioner.
3. The pages of the petition shall be securely fastened together to form a single bundle.
Nomination petitions that are not bound shall be returned without further examination. The
state commissioner shall prescribe by rule the acceptable methods for binding nomination
petitions.
4. The person examining the petition shall mark any deficiencies on the petition. Signed
nomination petitions and the signed and notarized affidavit of candidacy shall not be altered
to correct deficiencies noted during the examination. If the nomination petition lacks a
sufficient number of acceptable signatures, the nomination papers shall be rejected and
returned to the candidate.
5. The nomination papers shall be rejected if the affidavit lacks any of the following:
a. The candidate's name.
b. The name of the office sought, including the district, if any.
c. The signature of the candidate.
d. The signature of a notary public under chapter 9B or other officer empowered to witness
oaths.
6. The candidate may replace a deficient affidavit with a corrected one only if the
replacement is filed before the filing deadline. The candidate may resubmit a nomination
petition that has been rejected by adding a sufficient number of pages or signatures to correct
the deficiency. A nomination petition and affidavit filed to replace rejected nomination
papers shall be filed together before the deadline for filing.
2002 Acts, ch 1134, § 15, 115; 2003 Acts, ch 44, §23, 24; 2007 Acts, ch 59, §4, 19; 2012 Acts,
ch 1050, §35, 60; 2019 Acts, ch 148, §16, 17, 33; 2020 Acts, ch 1098, §2
Referred to in §376.4
Similar provision, see §43.14
Oaths, see chapter 63A
45.6 Requirements in signing.
The following requirements shall be observed in the signing and preparation of nomination
petitions:
1. A signer may sign nomination petitions for more than one candidate for the same office,
and the signature is not invalid solely because the signer signed nomination petitions for one
or more other candidates for the office.
2. Each signer shall add the signer's residential address, with street and number, if any,
and city.
3. All signers, for all nominations, of each separate part of a nomination petition, shall
reside in the appropriate ward, city, county, school district or school district director district,
legislative district, or other district as required by section 45.1.
4. When more than one sheet is used, the sheets shall be neatly arranged and securely
fastened together before filing, and shall be considered one nomination petition. Nomination
petitions which are not securely fastened together shall be returned to the candidate or the
candidate's designee without examination. The state commissioner shall prescribe by rule
the acceptable methods for binding nomination petitions.
5. Only one candidate shall be petitioned for or nominated in the same nomination
petition, except for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor, and president and vice
president.
2002 Acts, ch 1134, §16, 115; 2007 Acts, ch 59, §5, 19; 2019 Acts, ch 148, §18, 33
Tue Dec 09 22:31:10 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 4V2ge2609 of 939
CITY ELECTIONS, §376.2
CHAPTER 376
CITY ELECTIONS
Referred to in §43.112, 362.1, 362.9, 420.137
376.1
City election held.
376.2
Terms.
376.3
Nominations.
376.4
Candidacy — nomination petition
signature requirements —
withdrawals.
376.4A
Change to direct election of
mayor — nomination petition
signature requirements.
376.5
Publication of ballot.
376.6
Primary or other method of
nomination — certification.
376.7
Date of primary.
376.8
Persons elected in city elections.
376.9
Runoff election.
376.10
Contest.
376.11
Write-in votes.
376.1 City election held.
1. A city shall hold a regular city election on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in
November of each odd -numbered year. A city shall hold regular, special, primary, or runoff
city elections as provided by state law.
2. The mayor or council shall give notice of any special election to the county
commissioner of elections. The county commissioner of elections shall publish notice of any
city election and conduct the election pursuant to the provisions of chapters 39 through 53,
except as otherwise specifically provided in chapters 362 through 392. The results of any
election shall be canvassed by the county board of supervisors and certified by the county
commissioner of elections to the mayor and the council of the city for which the election is
held.
[R60, §1130; C73, §501; C97, §642, 936; S13, §646, 1056-a20, -a21; SS15, §1056-b5, -b6;
C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §5627, 6488, 6494, 6507, 6514, 6643, 6644, 6737; C46, 50, §363.5, 416.12,
416.18, 416.31, 416.38, 419.29, 419.30; C54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §363.8, 363.20, 363.24, 363.26;
C75, 77, 79, 81, §376.1]
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §202
Referred to in §39.20, 331.383, 372.13, 388.2
376.2 Terms.
1. Terms of city officers begin and end at noon on the first day in January which is not a
Sunday or legal holiday, following a regular city election.
2. Except as otherwise provided by state law or the city charter, terms for elective offices
are two years. However, the term of an elective office may be changed to two or four years by
petition and election. Upon receipt of a petition meeting the requirements of section 362.4,
requesting that the term of an elective office be changed, the council shall submit the question
at a special election. If a majority of the persons voting at the special election approves the
changed term, it becomes effective at the beginning of the term following the next regular
city election. If a majority does not approve the changed term, the council shall not submit
the same proposal to the voters within the next four years.
3. At the first regular city election after the terms of council members are changed to four
years, terms shall be staggered as follows:
a. If an even number of council members are elected at large, the half of the elected
council members who receive the highest number of votes are elected for four-year terms.
The remainder are elected for two-year terms.
b. If an odd number of council members are elected at large, the majority of the elected
council members who receive the highest number of votes are elected for four-year terms.
The remainder are elected for two-year terms.
c. In case of a tie the mayor and clerk shall determine by lot which council members are
elected for four-year terms.
d. If the council members are elected from wards, the council members elected from the
odd -numbered wards are elected for four-year terms and the council members elected from
even -numbered wards are elected for two-year terms.
4. After July 1, 1986, a petition submitted under this section to change the term of
Tue Dec 09 22:13:36 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 37W8e'610 of 939
§376.2, CITY ELECTIONS
council members from two to four years shall specify if the terms are to be staggered or
run concurrently. If the petition provides for concurrent terms and the changed term is
approved by the voters, subsection 3 shall not apply and the terms shall be concurrent. If
valid petitions for staggered and concurrent terms are submitted, the first filed shall govern.
[R60, §1081, 1084, 1091, 1093, 1106; C73, §390, 511, 514, 518, 521, 535; C97, §646 - 649;
S13, §646 - 649; SS15, §1056-b3; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §5632, 6625, 6626; C46, 50, §363.10,
419.11, 419.12; C54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §363.9, 363.10, 363.28; C75, 77, 79, 81, §376.2]
86 Acts, ch 1224, §34; 2002 Acts, ch 1134, § 105, 115; 2008 Acts, ch 1115, §67, 71; 2017 Acts,
ch 29, § 106
Referred to in §39.20
376.3 Nominations.
Candidates for elective city offices must be nominated as provided in sections 376.4 through
376.9, unless by ordinance a city chooses the provisions of chapter 44 or 45. However, a
city acting under a special charter in 1973 and having a population of over fifty thousand
shall continue to hold partisan elections as provided in sections 43.112 through 43.118 and
sections 420.126 through 420.137, unless the city by election as provided in section 43.112
chooses to conduct city elections under this chapter or chapter 44 or 45. The choice of one
of these options by such a special charter city does not otherwise affect the validity of the
city's charter. However, special charter cities which choose to exercise the option to conduct
nonpartisan city elections may choose, in the same manner the original decision was made,
to resume holding city elections on a partisan basis.
[S 13, § 1056-a21; SS 15, § 1056-b4; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §6492, 6496, 6634, 6638; C46, 50,
§416.16, 416.20, 419.20, 419.24; C54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §363.11, 363.16; C75, 77, 79, 81,
§376.3; 82 Acts, ch 1097, §21
2020 Acts, ch 1063, §203; 2023 Acts, ch 64, §61
376.4 Candidacy - nomination petition signature requirements - withdrawals.
1. a. An eligible elector of a city may become a candidate for an elective city office by
filing with the county commissioner of elections responsible under section 47.2 for conducting
elections held for the city a valid petition requesting that the elector's name be placed on the
ballot for that office, or by filing a valid petition with the designated city clerk. The petition
must be filed not more than seventy-one days and not less than forty-seven days before the
date of the election, and must be signed by eligible electors equal in number to at least two
percent of those who voted to fill the same office at the last regular city election, but not less
than ten persons. However, for those cities which may be required to hold a primary election,
the petition must be filed not more than eighty-five days and not less than sixty-eight days
before the date of the regular city election. Nomination petitions shall be filed not later than
5:00 p.m. on the last day for filing.
b. The petitioners for an individual seeking election from a ward must be residents of the
ward at the time of signing the petition. An individual is not eligible for election from a ward
unless the individual is a resident of the ward at the time the individual files the petition and
at the time of election.
c. The county commissioner may designate the city clerk of a city to receive nomination
papers for elective city offices. If so designated, the city clerk shall have all the duties of the
county commissioner provided in this section.
2. a. The petition must include space for the signatures of the petitioners, a statement
of their place of residence, and the date on which they signed the petition. A person may
sign nomination petitions for more than one candidate for the same office, and the signature
is not invalid solely because the person signed nomination petitions for one or more other
candidates for the office.
b. The petition must include the affidavit of the individual for whom it is filed, stating the
individual's name, the individual's residence, that the individual is a candidate and eligible
for the office, and that if elected the individual will qualify for the office. The affidavit shall
also state that the candidate is aware that the candidate is disqualified from holding office
Tue Dec 09 22:13:36 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 37W8Al l of 939
CITY ELECTIONS, §376.5
if the candidate has been convicted of a felony or other infamous crime and the candidate's
rights have not been restored by the governor or by the president of the United States.
3. On the final date for filing nomination papers the office of the county commissioner
and the office of the city clerk designated pursuant to subsection 1 shall remain open until
5:00 p.m.
4. The county commissioner or the city clerk designated pursuant to subsection 1 shall
review each petition and affidavit of candidacy for completeness following the standards in
section 45.5 and shall accept the petition for filing if on its face it appears to have the requisite
number of signatures and if it is timely filed. The county commissioner or the designated city
clerk shall note upon each petition and affidavit accepted for filing the date and time that they
were filed. The county commissioner or the designated city clerk shall return any rejected
nomination papers to the person on whose behalf the nomination papers were filed.
5. Nomination papers filed with the county commissioner or the city clerk designated
pursuant to subsection 1 shall be available for public inspection.
6. The city clerk shall deliver the text of any public measure being submitted by the city
council to the electorate to the county commissioner of elections. If the county commissioner
has designated the city clerk to receive nomination papers for elective city offices pursuant
to subsection 1, the city clerk shall deliver the nomination papers accepted for filing to the
county commissioner. The text of any public measure and nomination papers required to be
delivered under this subsection shall be delivered no later than the day after the last day on
which nomination petitions can be filed, and not later than 12:00 noon on that day.
7. Any person on whose behalf nomination petitions have been filed under this section
may withdraw as a candidate by filing a signed statement to that effect as prescribed in
section 44.9. Objections to the legal sufficiency of petitions shall be filed in accordance with
the provisions of sections 44.4, 44.5, and 44.8.
[S 13, § 1056-a21, -a40; SS 15, § 1056-b4; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §6478, 6495 - 6498, 6634 - 6638;
C46, 50, §416.2, 416.19 - 416.22, 419.20 - 419.24; C54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §363.11 - 363.16;
C75, 77, 79, 81, §376.4]
86 Acts, ch 1224, §35; 87 Acts, ch 221, §33; 88 Acts, ch 1119, §39; 89 Acts, ch 136, §72; 90
Acts, ch 1238, §40; 94 Acts, ch 1180, §55; 97 Acts, ch 170, §91; 98 Acts, ch 1052, §7; 2009 Acts,
ch 57, §93; 2010 Acts, ch 1033, §51; 2014 Acts, ch 1101, §9, 10; 2016 Acts, ch 1062, §1
Referred to in §49.31, 69.12, 372.13, 376.3
376AA Change to direct election of mayor - nomination petition signature
requirements.
1. If there is a change in government pursuant to section 372.6, subsection 2, the number
of signatures required on a nomination petition for the office of mayor for the first election
that office is on the ballot shall be an amount equal to the product of the following:
a. The total number of votes cast for at -large city council offices at the last regular city
election divided by the number of city council seats to be filled at the last regular city election.
b. Two hundredths.
2. If the product of subsection 1, paragraphs "a" and "b", is less than ten, the required
number of signatures is ten.
2007 Acts, ch 18, § 1
Referred to in §372.13, 376.3
376.5 Publication of ballot.
Notice for each regular, special, primary, or runoff city election shall be published by the
county commissioner of elections as provided in section 362.3, except that notice of a regular,
primary, or runoff election may be published not less than four days before the date of the
election. The published notice must list the names of all candidates, and must not contain any
party designations. The published notice must include any question to be submitted to the
Tue Dec 09 22:13:36 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 37W81Al2 of 939
§376.5, CITY ELECTIONS
voters. The notice may contain one or more facsimiles of the portion of the ballot containing
the first arrangement of candidates as prescribed by section 49.31, subsection 2.
[513, §1056-a21; SS15, §1056-b4; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §6499, 6500, 6501, 6503, 6640; C46,
50, §416.23 - 416.25, 416.27, 419.26; C58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §363.19; C75, 77, 79, 81, §376.5]
2019 Acts, ch 148, §58; 2021 Acts, ch 147, §51, 54; 2022 Acts, ch 1021, §98
Referred to in §372.13, 376.3
376.6 Primary or other method of nomination - certification.
1. An individual for whom a valid petition is filed becomes a candidate in the regular city
election for the office for which the individual has filed, except that a primary election must
be held for offices for which the number of individuals for whom valid petitions are filed is
more than twice the number of positions to be filled. However:
a. The council may by ordinance choose to have a runoff election, as provided in section
376.9, in lieu of a primary election.
b. If the council has by ordinance chosen to have nominations made in the manner
provided by chapter 44 or 45, neither a primary election nor a runoff election is required.
2. Each city clerk shall certify to the city's controlling commissioner of elections under
section 47.2 the type of nomination process to be used for the city no later than ninety days
before the date of the regular city election. If the city has by ordinance chosen a runoff
election or has chosen to have nominations made in the manner provided by chapter 44 or
45, or has repealed nomination provisions under those sections in preference for the primary
election method, a copy of the city ordinance shall be attached. No changes in the method of
nomination to be used in a city shall be made after the clerk has filed the certification with the
commissioner, unless the change will not take effect until after the next regular city election.
[S13, §1056-a21; SS15, §1056-b4; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §6492, 6510, 6638; C46, 50, §416.16,
416.34, 419.24; C54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §363.16, 363.18; C75, 77, 79, 81, §376.6]
88 Acts, ch 1119, §40; 2002 Acts, ch 1134, §106, 115; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §180; 2017 Acts,
ch 155, §41, 44
Referred to in §372.13, 376.3
376.7 Date of primary.
1. If a primary election is necessary, it shall be held on the Tuesday four weeks before the
date of the regular city election. For each office on the ballot, a voter shall only vote for the
number of persons to be elected to that office at the regular city election. The county board
of supervisors shall publicly canvass the tally lists of the vote cast in the primary election,
following the procedures prescribed in section 50.24, at a meeting to be held on the second
day following the primary election, and beginning no earlier than 1:00 p.m. on that day.
2. The names of those candidates who receive the highest number of votes for each office
on the primary election ballot, to the extent of twice the number of unfilled positions, must
be placed on the ballot for the regular city election as candidates for that office.
3. If the city holding a primary election is located in more than one county, the controlling
commissioner for that city under section 47.2, subsection 2, shall conduct a second canvass
on the first Monday or Tuesday after the day of the election. However, if a recount is
requested pursuant to section 50.48, the controlling commissioner shall conduct the second
canvass within two business days after the conclusion of the recount proceeding. Each
commissioner conducting a canvass for the city pursuant to section 50.24, subsection 1,
shall transmit abstracts for the offices of that city to the controlling commissioner for that
city, along with individual tallies for each write-in candidate. At the second canvass, the
county board of supervisors of the county of the controlling commissioner shall canvass the
abstracts received pursuant to this subsection and shall prepare a combined city abstract
stating the number of votes cast in the city for each office. The combined city abstract
shall further indicate the name of each person who received votes for each office on the
ballot, and the number of votes each person received for that office. The votes of all write-in
Tue Dec 09 22:13:36 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 37W81A13 of 939
CITY ELECTIONS, §376.9
candidates who each received less than five percent of the total votes cast in the city for an
office shall be reported collectively under the heading "scattering".
[513, §1056-a21; SS15, §1056-b5; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §6493, 6507, 6643; C46, 50, §416.17,
416.31, 419.29; C54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §363.17, 363.24; C75, 77, 79, 81, §376.7]
86 Acts, ch 1224, §36; 2010 Acts, ch 1033, §52; 2019 Acts, ch 148, §59
Referred to in §50.48, 331.383, 372.13, 376.3
376.8 Persons elected in city elections.
1. In a regular city election following a city primary, the candidates receiving the greatest
number of votes cast for each office on the ballot are elected, to the extent necessary to fill
the positions open.
2. In a regular city election held for a city where the council has chosen a runoff election in
lieu of a primary, candidates are elected as provided by subsection 1, except that no candidate
is elected who fails to receive a majority of the votes cast for the office in question. In the
case of at -large elections to a multimember body, a majority is one vote more than half the
quotient found by dividing the total number of votes cast for all candidates for that body by
the number of positions to be filled. In calculating the number of votes necessary to constitute
a majority, fractions shall be rounded up to the next higher whole number.
3. In a regular city election held for a city where the council has chosen to have
nominations made in the manner provided by chapter 44 or 45, the candidates who receive
the greatest number of votes for each office on the ballot are elected, to the extent necessary
to fill the positions open.
[513, §1056-a21; SS15, §1056-b4; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §6492, 6638; C46, 50, §416.16, 419.24;
C54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §363.16; C75, 77, 79, 81, §376.8]
88 Acts, ch 1119, §41; 2010 Acts, ch 1061, §153
Referred to in §372.13, 376.3
376.9 Runoff election.
1. A runoff election maybe held only for positions unfilled because of failure of a sufficient
number of candidates to receive a majority vote in the regular city election. When a council
has chosen a runoff election in lieu of a primary, the county board of supervisors shall publicly
canvass the tally lists of the vote cast in the regular city election, following the procedures
prescribed in section 50.24. Candidates who do not receive a majority of the votes cast for
an office, but who receive the highest number of votes cast for that office in the regular city
election, to the extent of twice the number of unfilled positions, are candidates in the runoff
election.
2. a. Runoff elections shall be held four weeks after the date of the regular city election
and shall be conducted in the same manner as regular city elections, except that the county
board of supervisors required to canvass the vote of the runoff election pursuant to section
50.24 shall meet to canvass the vote on the Thursday following the runoff election.
b. For a city that is located in more than one county, the county board of supervisors
conducting the canvass under paragraph "a" shall transmit abstracts for the offices and
public measures of that city, along with individual tallies for each write-in candidate, to the
city's controlling commissioner under section 47.2 within twenty-four hours of completing
the canvass. The county board of supervisors of the county of the controlling commissioner
shall canvass the abstracts received pursuant to this subsection on the first Monday or the
first Tuesday after the day of the runoff election and shall proceed as provided in section
50.24, subsection 4.
3. Candidates in the runoff election who receive the highest number of votes cast for each
office on the ballot are elected to the extent necessary to fill the positions open.
[C71, 73, §363.16; C75, 77, 79, 81, §376.9]
86 Acts, ch 1224, §37; 2010 Acts, ch 1033, §53; 2017 Acts, ch 155, §42, 44; 2019 Acts, ch
148, §60
Referred to in §50.48, 331.383, 372.13, 376.3, 376.6
Tue Dec 09 22:13:36 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 37W e'614 of 939
§376.10, CITY ELECTIONS
376.10 Contest.
A nomination or election to a city office may be contested in the manner provided in chapter
62 for contesting elections to county offices, except that a statement of intent to contest must
be filed with the city clerk within ten days after the nomination or election.
[C97, §678, 679; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §5629; C46, 50, §363.7; C54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, §363.22;
C75, 77, 79, 81, §376.101
97 Acts, ch 170, §92
Referred to in §372.13
376.11 Write-in votes.
1. Write-in votes are permitted to be cast in all elections for city offices. A person who
receives a sufficient number of write-in votes to be elected to a city office shall be declared
the winner of the election. If the result is a tie vote, lots shall be drawn pursuant to section
50.44. If a person who was elected by write-in votes chooses not to serve in that office, the
person shall submit a resignation in writing to the city clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on the
tenth day following the canvass of the election. If a person who was elected by write-in votes
resigns at a later time, the office shall be considered vacant at the end of the term and the
council shall fill the vacancy pursuant to the provisions of section 372.13, subsection 2.
2. Except in cities where the council has chosen a runoff election in lieu of a primary,
following the resignation of a person who was elected by write-in votes, the city clerk shall
notify the person who received the next highest number of votes cast for the office that the
person may assume the office. If there is more than one person who received the next highest
number of votes cast for the office, lots shall be drawn pursuant to section 50.44 to determine
the person who received the next highest number of votes. If the person accepts the position,
the person shall be considered the duly elected officer unless, within ten days after the clerk
has given notice, a petition requesting a special election is filed by eligible electors of the city
equal in number to twenty-five percent of the number of persons who voted for the office at
the election. If the person declines, the person shall do so in writing to the city clerk within
ten days and the office shall be considered vacant at the end of the term. The vacancy shall
be filled pursuant to the provisions of section 372.13, subsection 2. If the council chooses to
appoint, the appointment may be made before the end of the current term.
3. In city primary elections any person who receives write-in votes shall execute an
affidavit in substantially the form required by section 45.3, and file it with the county
commissioner of elections not later than 5:00 p.m. on the day after the canvass of the primary
election. If any person who received write-in votes fails to file the affidavit at the time
required, the county commissioner shall disregard the write-in votes cast for that person.
A notation shall be made on the abstract of votes showing which persons who received
write-in votes filed affidavits. The total number of votes cast for each office on the ballot
shall be amended by subtracting the write-in votes of those candidates who failed to file the
affidavit. It is not necessary for a candidate whose name was printed upon the ballot to file
an affidavit. Of the remaining candidates, those who receive the highest number of votes
to the extent of twice the number of unfilled positions shall be placed on the ballot for the
regular city election as candidates for that office.
4. In cities in which the city council has chosen a runoff election in lieu of a primary,
if a person who was elected by write-in votes chooses not to accept the office by filing a
resignation notice with the commissioner of elections not later than 5:00 p.m. on the day
following the canvass, all remaining persons who received write-in votes and who wish to be
considered candidates for the runoff election shall execute an affidavit in substantially the
form required by section 45.3 and file it with the county commissioner not later than 5:00
p.m. of the fourth day following the canvass. If a person receiving write-in votes fails to file
the affidavit at the time required, the county commissioner of elections shall disregard the
write-in votes cast for that person. The abstract of votes shall be amended to show that the
person who was declared elected declined the office and a notation shall be made next to the
names of those persons who did not file the affidavit. A runoff election shall be held with
the remaining candidates who have the highest number of votes to the extent of twice the
number of unfilled positions.
Tue Dec 09 22:13:36 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 37W8e'615 of 939
CITY ELECTIONS, §376.11
5. In a city in which the council has chosen a runoff election, if no person was declared
elected for an office, all persons who received write-in votes shall execute an affidavit in
substantially the form required by section 45.3 and file it with the county commissioner of
elections not later than 5:00 p.m. on the day following the canvass of votes. If any person
who received write-in votes fails to file the affidavit, the county commissioner of elections
shall disregard the write-in votes cast for that person. The abstract of votes shall be amended
to note which of the write-in candidates failed to file the affidavit. A runoff election shall be
held with the remaining candidates who have the highest number of votes to the extent of
twice the number of unfilled positions.
[C77, 79, 81, §376.11]
88 Acts, ch 1119, §42; 2007 Acts, ch 59, §18, 19; 2010 Acts, ch 1033, §54; 2014 Acts, ch 1101,
§11
Referred to in §372.13
Tue Dec 09 22:13:36 2025 Iowa Code 2026, Chapter 37W81 0616 of 939
ORDINANCE NO. 15,871
AN ORDINANCE to amend the Municipal Code of the City of Des Moines, Iowa, 2000, adopted
by Ordinance No. 13,827, passed June 5, 2000, as heretofore amended, by repealing and
replacing Section 2-5, relating to elections.
Be It Ordained by the City Council of the City of Des Moines, Iowa:
Section 1. That the Municipal Code of the City of Des Moines, Iowa, 2000, adopted by
Ordinance No. 13,827, passed June 5, 2000, as heretofore amended, is hereby amended by
repealing and replacing Section 2-5 relating to elections, as follows:
Sec. 2-5. Elections.
(a) All candidates for elective city offices shall be nominated under the provisions of Iowa
Code Chapter 45 and all nominations for candidates for elective city offices shall be made
in the manner provided by Iowa Code Chapter 45.
(b) Nominations for candidates for elective city offices may be made by nominating papers
signed by not less than twenty-five eligible electors who are residents of the city or
appropriate ward.
(c) In a city election, the candidates who receive the greatest number of votes for each office
on the ballot are elected to the extent necessary to fill the positions open.
Section 2. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and
publication as provided by law.
Section 3. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to certify and file with the
Polk County Auditor, as Commissioner of Elections, the use of the nomination process provided
by Iowa Code Chapter 45 for the City of Des Moines with a certified copy of this ordinance
attached.
FORM APPROVED:
Lawrence R. McDowell, Deputy City Attorney
T. M. Franklin Cownie, Mayor
Attest: I, P. Kay Cmelik, City Clerk of the City of Des Moines, Iowa, hereby certify that the above
and foregoing is a true copy of an ordinance (Roll Call No. 20-0456), passed by the City Council
of said City at a meeting held March 9, 2020 signed by the Mayor on March 9, 2020 and published
and provided by law in the Business Record on March 27, 2020. Authorized by Publication Order
No. 11123.
P. Kay Cmelik, City Clerk
Page 917 of 939
CHAPTER 6
CITY ELECTIONS
6.01 Nominating Method to Be Used 6.05 Filing; Presumption; Withdrawals; Objections
6.02 Nominations by Petition 6.06 Persons Elected
6.03 Adding Name by Petition 6.07 Election Precinct
6.04 Preparation of Petition and Affidavit
6.01 NOMINATING METHOD TO BE USED. All candidates for elective municipal
offices shall be nominated under the provisions of Chapter 45 of the Code of Iowa.
(Code oflowa, Sec. 376.3)
6.02 NOMINATIONS BY PETITION. Nominations for elective municipal offices of the
City may be made by nomination paper or papers signed by not less than 25 eligible electors,
residents of the City.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 45.1)
6.03 ADDING NAME BY PETITION. The name of a candidate placed upon the ballot by
any other method than by petition shall not be added by petition for the same office.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 45.2)
6.04 PREPARATION OF PETITION AND AFFIDAVIT. Nomination papers shall
include a petition and an affidavit of candidacy. The petition and affidavit shall be substantially
in the form prescribed by the State Commissioner of Elections, shall include information
required by the Code oflowa, and shall be signed in accordance with the Code oflowa.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 45.3, 45.5 and 45.6)
6.05 FILING; PRESUMPTION; WITHDRAWALS; OBJECTIONS. The time and
place of filing nomination petitions, the presumption of validity thereof, the right of a candidate
so nominated to withdraw and the effect of such withdrawal, and the right to object to the legal
sufficiency of such petitions, or to the eligibility of the candidate, shall be governed by the
appropriate provisions of Chapter 44 of the Code of Iowa.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 45.4)
6.06 PERSONS ELECTED. The candidates who receive the greatest number of votes for
each office on the ballot are elected, to the extent necessary to fill the positions open.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 376.8[3])
6.07 ELECTION PRECINCT. For the purpose of best serving the convenience of the
voters, there is established the following election precinct within the City.
1. Precinct No. 1. Election Precinct No. 1 shall be the real property as detailed on
the map on file in the office of the City Clerk.
2. Polling Places. Polling places shall be determined by the Polk County Election
Commissioner to best serve the needs of the precinct.
CODE OF ORDINANCES, POLK CITY, IOWA
-31-
Page 918 of 939
Section 3.01. - Nomination.
(a) An eligible elector of a council district may become a candidate for a council
district seat by filing a valid petition requesting that the candidate's name be placed
on the ballot for that office in accordance with state law. The petition must be filed not
more than seventy-one days and not less than forty-seven days before the date of the
regular city election and must be signed by eligible electors from the candidate's
district equal in number to at least two percent of those who voted to fill the same
office at the last regular city election but not less than ten persons.
(b) An eligible elector of the city may become a candidate for an at large council seat
or for mayor by filing a valid petition requesting that the candidate's name be placed
on the ballot for that office in accordance with state law. The petition must be filed not
more than seventy-one days and not less than forty-seven days before the date of the
regular city election and must be signed by eligible electors equal in number to at least
two percent of those who voted to fill the same office at the last regular city election
but not less than ten persons.
Section 3.02. - Regular City Elections.
(a) In the regular city election, each council district seat up for election shall be listed
separately on the ballot, and only electors from that district shall be permitted to vote
for the candidates for that council district seat.
(b) The at large council seats, including the position of mayor, shall be designated on
the ballot as such and electors from the city at large may vote for candidates for these
positions.
(c) Elections shall be held pursuant to Iowa law.
Section 3.03. - Runoff Elections.
(a) Runoff elections shall be held in lieu of primary elections.
(b) Runoff elections shall be held when and as specified by Iowa law.
Page 919 of 939
Sec. 6.12. RUNOFF ELECTIONS ADOPTED. Runoff elections, as provided for by the laws of
the State of Iowa, shall be held in lieu of primary elections. (Ord. No. 2515, Section 4, 7-22-
75) [State Law Ref. Iowa Code Sec. 376.6(1).]
Sec. 6.13. WHEN AND HOW HELD. A runoff election shall be held for positions unfilled
because of failure of a sufficient number of candidates to receive a majority vote in the
regular city election. Candidates who do not receive a majority of the votes cast for the
office for which they have filed but who received the highest number of votes cast for that
office in the regular city election to the extent of twice the number of unfilled positions are
candidates in the runoff election. (Ord. No. 2515, Sec. 4, 7-22-75) [State Law Ref. Iowa
Code Sec. 376.9.]
1-9-1: RUNOFF ELECTIONS:
A. Purpose: The purpose of this chapter is to adopt the alternative of using a
runoff election in lieu of a primary election for the choosing of persons
for elective municipal offices and prescribing the procedures to be followed therein.
(1985 Code §1-1.0301)
B. When Held: A runoff election shall be held only for positions unfilled because of
failure of a sufficient number of candidates to receive a majority vote in the regular
city election. (1985 Code §1-1.0302)
C. Qualification: Candidates who do not receive a majority of the votes cast for an
office, but who receive the highest number of votes cast for that office in the regular
city election to the extent of twice the number of unfilled positions, are candidates in the
runoff elections. (1985 Code §1-1.0303)
D. Time Held: Runoff elections shall be held four (4) weeks after the date of the regular
city election and shall be conducted in the same manner as regular city elections. (1985
Code §1-1.0304; amd. 1993 Code)
E. Candidates Elected: Candidates in the runoff election who receive the highest
number of votes cast for each office on the ballot are elected to the extent necessary to
fill the positions open. (1985 Code §1-1.0305)
6.02 NOMINATIONS BY PETITION.
Nominations for elective municipal offices of the City may be made by nomination paper or
papers signed by not less than 10 eligible electors, residents of the City.
6.02 NOMINATIONS BY PETITION.
Nominations for elective municipal offices of the City may be made by nomination paper or
papers signed by not less than 25 eligible electors, residents of the City.
6.01 NOMINATING METHOD TO BE USED. All candidates for elective municipal offices
shall be nominated under the provisions of Chapter 45 of the Code of Iowa. (Code of Iowa,
Sec. 376.3)
Page 920 of 939
6.02 NOMINATIONS BY PETITION. Nominations for elective municipal offices of the City
may be made by nomination paper or papers signed by not less than the number of
residents of the City or ward required by Iowa Code Section 45.1(9), according to the more
recent federal decennial census.
Page 921 of 939
CEDAR RAPIDS
Section 3.01. - Nomination.
(a) An eligible elector of a council district may become a candidate for a council
district seat by filing a valid petition requesting that the candidate's name be placed
on the ballot for that office in accordance with state law. The petition must be filed not
more than seventy-one days and not less than forty-seven days before the date of the
regular city election and must be signed by eligible electors from the candidate's
district equal in number to at least two percent of those who voted to fill the same
office at the last regular city election but not less than ten persons.
(b) An eligible elector of the city may become a candidate for an at large council seat
or for mayor by filing a valid petition requesting that the candidate's name be placed
on the ballot for that office in accordance with state law. The petition must be filed not
more than seventy-one days and not less than forty-seven days before the date of the
regular city election and must be signed by eligible electors equal in number to at least
two percent of those who voted to fill the same office at the last regular city election
but not less than ten persons.
Section 3.02. - Regular City Elections.
(a) In the regular city election, each council district seat up for election shall be listed
separately on the ballot, and only electors from that district shall be permitted to vote
for the candidates for that council district seat.
(b) The at large council seats, including the position of mayor, shall be designated on
the ballot as such and electors from the city at large may vote for candidates for these
positions.
(c) Elections shall be held pursuant to Iowa law.
Section 3.03. - Runoff Elections.
(a) Runoff elections shall be held in lieu of primary elections.
(b) Runoff elections shall be held when and as specified by Iowa law.
Page 922 of 939
AM ES
Sec. 6.12. RUNOFF ELECTIONS ADOPTED. Runoff elections, as provided for by the laws of
the State of Iowa, shall be held in lieu of primary elections. (Ord. No. 2515, Section 4, 7-22-
75) [State Law Ref. Iowa Code Sec. 376.6(1).]
Sec. 6.13. WHEN AND HOW HELD. A runoff election shall be held for positions unfilled
because of failure of a sufficient number of candidates to receive a majority vote in the
regular city election. Candidates who do not receive a majority of the votes cast for the
office for which they have filed but who received the highest number of votes cast for that
office in the regular city election to the extent of twice the number of unfilled positions are
candidates in the runoff election. (Ord. No. 2515, Sec. 4, 7-22-75) [State Law Ref. Iowa
Code Sec. 376.9.]
WEST DES MOINES
1-9-1: RUNOFF ELECTIONS:
A. Purpose: The purpose of this chapter is to adopt the alternative of using a
runoff election in lieu of a primary election for the choosing of persons
for elective municipal offices and prescribing the procedures to be followed therein.
(1985 Code §1-1.0301)
B. When Held: A runoff election shall be held only for positions unfilled because of
failure of a sufficient number of candidates to receive a majority vote in the regular
city election. (1985 Code §1-1.0302)
C. Qualification: Candidates who do not receive a majority of the votes cast for an
office, but who receive the highest number of votes cast for that office in the regular
city election to the extent of twice the number of unfilled positions, are candidates in the
runoff elections. (1985 Code §1-1.0303)
D. Time Held: Runoff elections shall be held four (4) weeks after the date of the regular
city election and shall be conducted in the same manner as regular city elections. (1985
Code §1-1.0304; amd. 1993 Code)
E. Candidates Elected: Candidates in the runoff election who receive the highest
number of votes cast for each office on the ballot are elected to the extent necessary to
fill the positions open. (1985 Code §1-1.0305)
RUNNELS
6.02 NOMINATIONS BY PETITION.
Nominations for elective municipal offices of the City may be made by nomination paper or
papers signed by not less than 10 eligible electors, residents of the City.
HIAWATHA, CLARION, JEFFERSON
6.02 NOMINATIONS BY PETITION.
Nominations for elective municipal offices of the City may be made by nomination paper or
papers signed by not less than 25 eligible electors, residents of the City.
Same language, different number:
50 eligible electors Waukee, Altoona
Page 923 of 939
BLOOMFIELD
6.01 NOMINATING METHOD TO BE USED. All candidates for elective municipal offices
shall be nominated under the provisions of Chapter 45 of the Code of Iowa. (Code of Iowa,
Sec. 376.3)
6.02 NOMINATIONS BY PETITION. Nominations for elective municipal offices of the City
may be made by nomination paper or papers signed by not less than the number of
residents of the City or ward required by Iowa Code Section 45.1(9), according to the more
recent federal decennial census.
Holy Cross, Iowa — specifically abolished both primary and runoff.
Page 924 of 939
2019
Primary Election
$12,541.29
For Positions
Ward 3 and Ward 4
General (City/School)
$11,626.44
For Positions
At -Large, Ward 2, Ward 3
(Filling a Vacancy) and
Ward 4
Special Election Primary
For Position
Special Election General
For Position
Total
1$24,167.73
Note: The 2021 Ward One Special Primary and General Election had
consolidated into 2 voting locations, known as Vote Centers, where an.
One Special Primary and General Elections were higher than the Warc
Page 925 of 939
1 2021 1 2022 1 2023 1
$34,132.83
Mayor and At -Large
$8,574.55 $13,924.61
At -Large, Mayor, Ward 1, At -Large, Ward
and Ward 3 2 and Ward 4
$10,242.20
$4,689.88
Ward One
Ward Four
$8,816.04
$4,179.62
Ward One
Ward Four
$61,765.62
1$8,869.50
1 $13,924.61
5 polling places open. For the 2022 Ward Four Special Primary and GenE
y regeistered voter in Ward 4 could could go either polling location. Addit
I Four Special Primary and General Elections.
Page 926 of 939
2025
$39,982.35
Mayor and Ward 1
$18,334.06
Mayor, At -Large, Ward 1,
and Ward 3
$58,316.41
gral Election, voting was
`ionally, the turnout for the Ward
Page 927 of 939
1
Adrienne Breitfelder
Subject:FW: Election Changes
From: Brittany Krapfl <brittanykrapfl@gmail.com>
Date: March 5, 2026 at 9:48:31 AM CST
To: "David T. Resnick" <dresnick@cityofdubuque.org>, Brad Cavanagh
<Bcavanagh@cityofdubuque.org>, Chris Staver <cstaver@cityofdubuque.org>, Tyson
Leyendecker <tleyendecker@cityofdubuque.org>, Laura Roussell
<Lroussell@cityofdubuque.org>, Danny Sprank <Dsprank@cityofdubuque.org>, Katy
Wethal <Kwethal@cityofdubuque.org>
Subject: Election Changes
Dear Council Members, I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed changes to our election system. The argument that this change is an opportunity for "cost-cutting" is difficult to accept wh
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sophospsmartbannerend
Dear Council Members,
I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed changes to our election system.
The argument that this change is an opportunity for "cost-cutting" is difficult to accept
when I see where some of our other tax dollars are spent.
I believe the Council should prioritize fiscal responsibility in other areas rather than altering
the way our community votes.
To be candid, I am sending this with a heavy dose of skepticism. My previous attempts to
engage with this body have been met with silence, leading to the impression that public
input is a formality rather than a factor in your decision-making.
I hope this Council will prove my skepticism wrong by considering this opposition.
There are other ways to cut costs. Dig deeper.
Respectfully,
Brittany Krapfl
Sent from my iPhone
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Adrienne Breitfelder
Subject: FW: Proposed Election changes from Primary to Run Off
From: Paul Kern <paul@pkaflic.com>
Date: March 3, 2026 at 12:47:09 PM CST
To: tleyendecker@citofdubuque.org, Chris Staver <cstavera)cityofdubuque.org>, "David T.
Resnick" <dresnick@cityofdubuque.org>, Laura Roussell <Lroussell@cityofdubuque.org>,
Danny Sprank <Dsprank@cityofdubuque.org>
Subject: Proposed Election changes from Primary to Run Off
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Dear Council Members,
The Mayor asked for public input at the Council Meeting dated 3-2-2026 regarding the
proposed change from a Primary election process to a Run off election process. I am opposed
to this change for several reasons and would ask that none of the elected Council Members
support such change when and if it is proposed again.
The statement was made that the cost of a Primary would be saved, with a dollar amount
equaling around $40,000, saving the cost of an additional election. The problem is should there
be a need for a run off; there would be no savings as this would be the same as a Primary and
General Election.
The second part of this, should a need for a run off election be needed, the ballots would have
to be printed, the challengers would need some time to campaign and all of this prior the
scheduled run off election. This would put the run off election sometime near the second to
third week of December. We all know how winter is in Iowa and the chances of severe weather
impacting the election could be a factor, driving down voter participation.
The third reason, which Council Member Roussell noted during the discussion that there would
be a definite advantage to an incumbent over any challengers for the council seat. The benefit
of a Primary process allows the candidates to get more public exposure prior to the General
election, thus limiting some of the advantage an incumbent might have.
Considering how much money the City of Dubuque spends on other items, the $40,000 is well
worth protecting the integrity of our election process along with maintaining an equal
and balanced process for both the incumbent and challengers.
I would ask that all of you vote not to support any changes from the present Primary Election
process, both now and in any future discussions.
I have already sent Mayor Cavanagh along with Council Member Wethal an email asking for
both not to support any changes which would move away from the present Primary Election
process.
Regards,
Paul Kern
74 S Grandview Ave
Dubuque IA 52003
Adrienne Breitfelder
From: City of Dubuque <noreply-dubuque@gscend.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 3, 2026 8:52 AM
To: Adrienne Breitfelder
Subject: A new Service Request has been created [Request ID #229866] (Contact City Council) -
Dubuque, IA
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Dubuque, IA
A new service request has been filed.
ID 229866
Date/Time 3/3/2026 8:52 AM
Type Contact City Council
Address Dubuque
Origin Website
Comments Please leave our city elections alone. The
primary system works fine. Changing i5 would
disadvantage new candidates.
Submitter Hemmer, Paul E
485 Woodland Ridge
IA 52003
563-581-7016
rdbgpaul@gmail.com
Dubuque, IA
1
Adrienne Breitfelder
From: City of Dubuque <noreply-dubuque@gscend.com>
Sent: Monday, March 2, 2026 12:29 PM
To: Adrienne Breitfelder
Subject: A new Service Request has been created [Request ID #229844] (Contact City Council) -
Dubuque, IA
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Dubuque, IA
A new service request has been filed.
ID
229844
Date/Time
3/2/2026 12:29 PM
Type
Contact City Council
Address
3188 HIGHLAND PARK DR, Dubuque
Origin
Website
Comments
I'm concerned about doing away with the primary
election process. This is an essential part of a
fair election process and by doing away with the
primary you have given the incumbent a large
advantage. This issue shouldn't be about the
cost because it is necessary to a fair election
process. It certainly feels that some of the
council is still working to limit input from all
citizens.
Submitter
Wolff, Keith
210 Cedar Cross Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
563-582-1691
kwolff@dubuquesign.com
Dubuque, IA
1
Adrienne Breitfelder
From: CtyClerk
Sent: Monday, March 2, 2026 6:24 PM
To: Adrienne Breitfelder; Trish Gleason
Subject: FW: Primary Election
From: Jean McDonald <eieio3120@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, March 2, 2026 6:23:39 PM (UTC-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada)
To: CtyClerk <ctyclerk@cityofdubuque.org>
Subject: Primary Election
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My name is Jean McDonald and I reside at 3120 Eagle Point Drive, Dubuque, Iowa 52001
I oppose the consideration of changes to the city's nomination process for the elective process.
Winners should reflect the will of a majority, not just the largest minority. Primaries assist in narrowing
the field so that voters can focus on viable candidates. A crowded ballot can confuse votes and dilute
any meaningful debates.
Public office should require broad community support.
Thank you for your time.
Adrienne Breitfelder
Subject: FW: Elections
From: John Wilson <i.wi1son7130@gmai1.com>
Date: March 2, 2026 at 1:13:51 PM CST
To: Danny Sprank <Dsprank@cityofdubuque.org>
Subject: Elections
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Danny,
I would encourage you to keep the elections the way they are, which means if a primary is
needed, that's what happens. We don't need shortcuts, and it appears that twenty
thousand dollars will be spent at the beginning with the primary, or at the end with what
might be some shenanigans.
Leave it alone.
Thanks.
John Wilson
Adrienne Breitfelder
Subject: FW: City Council Agenda item
From: Jodi Herbst Riedl <iodiriedl67@gmail.com>
Date: March 2, 2026 at 8:22:03 AM CST
To: Brad Cavanagh <Bcavanagh@cityofdubuque.org>, "David T. Resnick"
<dresnick@cityofdubuque.org>, Chris Staver <cstaver@cityofdubuque.org>, Tyson
Leyendecker<tleyendecker@cityofdubuque.org>, lrousell@cityofdubuque.org, Danny
Sprank <Dsprank@cityofdubuque.org>, Katy Wethal <Kwethal@cityofdubuque.org>
Subject: City Council Agenda item
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We are lifelong residents of the City of Dubuque.
Our email is in regard to the agenda item # 7 for consideration of changes to the city's
election nomination process.
We have been property owners & tax payers in the City of Dubuque for over 43 years. We
highly OPPOSE changing the election process. As the council may consider this a cost
savings idea, it does not seem like a very fair election process. Please look at other cost
savings ideas for the city taxpayers. The property owners have seen a lot of wasteful
spending that should be addressed first.
Sincerely,
John & Jodi Riedl
4220 Tanzanite Ct
Dubuque, IA 52001
Adrienne Breitfelder
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Danny Sprank
Ward 3
2473 Jackson St
(563) 690 6507
Begin forwarded message:
Danny Sprank
Monday, March 2, 2026 5:57 PM
Adrienne Breitfelder
Fwd: Input on proposed election nomination process change
From: Ali Fuller <ali@driftlessconsulting.com>
Date: March 2, 2026 at 2:05:51 PM CST
To: Brad Cavanagh <Bcavanagh@cityofdubuque.org>, "David T. Resnick"
<dresnick@cityofdubuque.org>, Chris Staver <cstaver@cityofdubuque.org>, Tyson
Leyendecker <tleyendecker@cityofdubuque.org>, Laura Roussell
<Lroussell@cityofdubuque.org>, Danny Sprank <Dsprank@cityofdubuque.org>, Katy
Wethal <Kwethal@cityofdubuque.org>
Subject: Input on proposed election nomination process change
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Dubuque City Council members,
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I am writing to share my input on today's council agenda item regarding changes to the
City's election nomination process. While I applaud efforts to reduce costs, I do not
believe removing a critical component of the democratic process is an appropriate place
to find savings. Instead of simply reacting to this single cost -saving suggestion, I ask you to
first go through a more comprehensive and thoughtful process to identify potential cost -
saving opportunities, evaluate them against a set of criteria, and make informed decisions
about the best ways to cut costs.
It is critical that our process requires a candidate to secure over 50% of the vote to win the
election. A primary forces this to happen by reducing the candidates on the general
election ballot to 2. The only other way to do that would be to require a runoff between the
top 2 finishers if no one receives over 50%. A primary seems preferable so the whole
election can be completed on Election Day and not drag out beyond that when voters may
Lose interest. Turnout will always be highest on Election Day, and I believe that is when the
head -to -head vote between the two candidates should happen.
As leaders, it is important that you cast a vote that best serves the interests of the voters
you represent. If you eliminate the primary, you MUST require a runoff between the top two
candidates if no one receives a majority of the vote. We simply cannot have an election
process where people gain office without a majority of the voters supporting them.
As I stated above, I strongly support finding ways to reduce costs. I urge you to look in other
places before curtailing the democratic process. It seems the City spends a lot of money
on "studies" and consultants; I'm sure you could find over $40,000 in savings by examining
that spend. I am not opposed in general to studies and consultants - I am a consultant,
after all - but as a voter and taxpayer when I look at, for example, the money we pay Lyle
Sumek every year to bring us highly offensive materials (which are boilerplate, no less) and
facilitate what I, as a strategic planning professional, would consider the most
disorganized and convoluted goal -setting and strategy process I've ever seen (in fact I
wouldn't actually use the word "strategy" for what Lyle Sumek facilitates), I see some low -
hanging fruit for cost savings.
Please consider a thoughtful and comprehensive process to identify cost -saving
opportunities. Voters and taxpayers would be thrilled to see our City Council initiate such a
process.
Thank you for your consideration.
Ali Fuller
Ali Fuller
Driftless Consulting Group
ali@driftlessconsulting.com
203.980.4807
Adrienne Breitfelder
Subject: FW: Please Retain Dubuque's Primary Election Process
From: Cathy Goodman <cathy@bigfishcreative.biz>
Date: March 2, 2026 at 2:52:09 PM CST
To: Brad Cavanagh <Bcavanagh@cityofdubuque.org>, "David T. Resnick"
<dresnick@cityofdubuque.org>, Chris Staver <cstaver@cityofdubuque.org>, Tyson
Leyendecker<tleyendecker@cityofdubuque.org>, Laura Roussell
<Lroussell@cityofdubuque.org>, Danny Sprank <Dsprank@cityofdubuque.org>, Katy
Wethal <Kwethal@cityofdubuque.org>
Subject: Please Retain Dubuque's Primary Election Process
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Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council,
Thank you for your service to our community and for considering this issue thoughtfully.
urge you to retain Dubuque's current primary election process.
The February 24, 2026, memo makes clear that the projected $40,000 savings occur only if
the City eliminates both the primary and any runoff requirements. Without a runoff, a
candidate could win with far less than majority support— potentially 34% in a three -
person race or 26% in a four -person race.
That weakens majority rule and public confidence in our elections.
While cost savings are always worth examining, the City routinely approves outside
consulting contracts in the $25,000—$50,000 range. In that broader budget context,
preserving majority -supported representation in our municipal elections should remain a
priority.
Ensuring elected officials have majority support is worth the investment.
Sincerely,
Cathy Goodman
Cathy Goodman, MAC
big fish creative
440 Burch Street
Dubuque IA 52001
563.599.7775
bigfishcreative.biz
Ars longa, vita brevis.
Adrienne Breitfelder
Subject: FW: elimination of primary elections
From: Daniel Simon <0rsimon67@yahoo.com>
Date: March 2, 2026 at 3:23:02 PM CST
To: Brad Cavanagh <Bcavanagh@cityofdubuque.org>, "David T. Resnick"
<dresnick@cityofdubuque.org>, Chris Staver <cstaver@cityofdubuque.org>, Tyson
Leyendecker<tleyendecker@cityofdubuque.org>, Laura Roussell
<Lroussell@cityofdubuque.org>, Danny Sprank <Dsprank@cityofdubuque.org>, Katy
Wethal <Kwethal@cityofdubuque.org>, mvanmilligen@cityofdubuque.org
Subject: elimination of primary elections
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All,
I disagree with the idea to eliminate primary elections as a cost savings idea. I feel the $40,000 that is spent every
two years assures that the filtering of candidates to two -qualified individuals results in a more educated decision
by the voter and is the customary standard of many elections that society has grown use to . if you were to dilute
the process and have four, five, or six people run , you create an unfair process where a less qualified individual
wins. If you had one democrat running against five republican candidates (or vice versa) , you are diluting the
republican votes in favor of the democrat nominee, which is not a true reflection of a process that would result in
fair outcomes. There stands to be the outcome that the democrat candidate may get 19% of the vote and the
republicans split the 81 % amount five people evenly and technically lose. If you do not think people vote by party,
especially in today's society you are completely wrong.
The other issue is that it is hard enough to learn about candidates and get familiar with points of views and their
thought processes and now you want to dilute that process even more. The person who would benefit the most
would be the incumbent versus three, four, five new people. The incumbent has name recognition, the knowledge
learned from gained experience of governmental operations, and the experience from a voting process is in their
arsenal to run for office . All it would take for them to win now would be two other well qualified candidates
splitting 66% of the vote because their views are similar, while the other receives 34% and may have distorted
views that the other two candidates with similar views, if they were filtered to one person would dominate the
other person in a fair election.
I find it disturbing that the one fundamental right that folks have died for and fought for, the right to vote in a great
democratic free nation, is something that a government wants to change in favor of one person or another. None
of this has to with basic fundamentals of how we vote, why we vote, and procedural changes to encourage and
make the process easier or have more people vote and participate, but rather it is being done fundamentally as a
cost savings idea! Is there a price tag that can be put on the one fundamental procedure to ensure fair elections
and a free nation that constitutes this change.? Of all the things determined in the city budget, this being a very
small amount of money in comparison to figures I have seen, why would we consider this of all things as way to
save money ? When politics like those we see in Washington start evolving in communities and city government we
lose focus of what we are and we lose focus on why we are America. But the main thing you lose focus on is what
the people in your community want, feel or need, and it becomes more about what you feel, want or need.
Thanks for listening and your service to your city,
Dan Simon
Eclipse Circle
Dubuque Iowa
Adrienne Breitfelder
From: City of Dubuque <noreply-dubuque@gscend.com>
Sent: Monday, March 2, 2026 8:40 AM
To: Adrienne Breitfelder
Subject: A new Service Request has been created [Request ID #229839] (Contact City Council) -
Dubuque, IA
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Dubuque, IA
A new service request has been filed.
ID
229839
Date/Time
3/2/2026 8:39 AM
Type
Contact City Council
Address
Dubuque
Origin
Website
Comments
I am writing to give my thoughts on the agenda
item tonight regarding going away from primary
elections. It appears the driver on this is cost
savings, which tells me if the city council
proceeded, it would not include run-off elections
as part of the process as they are as costly as
primaries, therefore negating the possible cost
savings of eliminating primaries.
Without the possibility of a runoff election, I think
is it a bad precedent for this council to set to
allow someone to be elected with less than a
majority vote. In the case of a 4-person race,
without a run-off, the person elected could win
with 26% of the vote. This is not good
governance and leads many to believe there is a
hidden agenda in doing this in the first place.
Please leave the primary election process in
place. Thank you for your service to our
community.
Submitter
McDonald, Rob D
3399 EAGLE POINT DR Dubuque, Iowa 52001
Dubuque, IA 52001
563-543-0220
563-582-2232
rmcdonald@aymcdonald.com
Dubuque,lA
Adrienne Breitfelder
Subject: FW: Primary elections.
From: Gto71 dk4 <gto71 dk4@ao1.com>
Date: March 1, 2026 at 8:37:13 PM CST
To: Danny Sprank <Dsprank@cityofdubuque.org>, gto71 dk4@aol.com
Subject: Primary elections.
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I read the City has a proposal coming up tomorrow evening to no longer have Primary
elections for Dubuque elections for city offices. 1, nor my husband are in favor of changing
this process. This proposed change can result in unfair elections. Primaries are there for
the people to make the voting decisions who would move forward to the November
election.
Our election integrity should not be compromised to possibly empower the incumbent
with a name recognition. This leaves the new person at a disadvantage.
The cost savings of roughly $40,000 is not worth our election integrity.
Debbie Krug
Dave Krug
Nick Krug
2215 Rhomberg Avenue
Dubuque, IA. 52001
Sent from the all new AOL app for iOS
Adrienne Breitfelder
From: City of Dubuque <noreply-dubuque@gscend.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2026 11:28 AM
To: Adrienne Breitfelder
Subject: A new Service Request has been created [Request ID #229830] (Contact City Council) -
Dubuque, IA
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Dubuque, IA
A new service request has been filed.
ID 229830
Date/Time 3/1/2026 11:28 AM
Type Contact City Council
Address 1824 KEYMONT CT, Dubuque
Origin Website
Comments I definitely advocate sticking with the current
primary election process.
Submitter Ramstedt, shirley A
1824 Keymont ct
Dubuque, IA 52002
239-777-9222
Biddy62@aol.com
Dubuque, IA
1
1
Adrienne Breitfelder
From:City of Dubuque <noreply-dubuque@qscend.com>
Sent:Wednesday, March 4, 2026 8:25 PM
To:Adrienne Breitfelder
Subject:A new Service Request has been created [Request ID #229906] (Contact City Council) -
Dubuque, IA
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Service Request Details
ID 229906
Date/Time 3/4/2026 8:25 PM
Type Contact City Council
Address 1055 KELLY LN, Dubuque
Origin Report2Gov Website
Comments city elections don't feel fair I can only vote for my
ward and at large positions
I live in this city all city council positions should
be at large so everyone get the vote for their
candidate. The ward system restricts the voter.
As for primary election verse run off still sounds
like 40k will be spent.
Submitter Feehan, Sam
1055 Kelly Lane
Dubuque, IA 52003
563-599-6059
feehan2007@yahoo.com
View in QAlert
Dubuque, IA
2026-03-05 02:25:26Z