,

I used to think of myself as a “political junkie.” Starting in my teens, you could often find me on Sundays folding clothes with my mom and watching The McGlaughlin Group. I knew who Nina Totenberg was at an early age, and I could tell you who everyone in the Bush Administration was and what they did (I was, of course, very popular in school…ha!).

As I’ve gotten older, though, and have been working in the political sphere, I’ve learned just how important down-ballot races and amendments are. How much they impact our daily lives.

It sounds obvious – and in a lot of ways, it is. But those candidates and those amendments are often the hardest to find good information about, leaving voters without the information they need to make informed choices.

This year, Iowa ballots have two amendments on the backside of the ballot. Amendment 1 would require proof of citizenship in order to vote. While it may sound reasonable to some, this amendment is yet another fear-mongering tactic to scare us into believing non-citizens are voting in Presidential and federal elections. Its intention is to sow anti-immigrant sentiments and to get us to agree to limiting our own voting rights.

Amendment 2 is about the succession process should the Governor be unable to fulfill her duties. Again, this one looks simple enough, but there is a glaring issue with it: it does not require Iowa Senate confirmation of the Lt Governor choice, meaning everyday people’s voices wouldn’t be represented in the decision.

Both amendments are being referred to voters by the Republican-led legislature. CCI members have been reaching out to us to let us know they'll be voting NO on these amendments. Read more about them here.

Please read on for more information about judges on the ballot and other voting information, as well as for articles we’ve been reading this month and to check out the CCI members who are running for office!

For a welcoming Iowa for all,

Katie Biechler, she/her
Political Organizing Director

• You can no longer request a mail-in ballot. If you already received yours, make sure to get your ballot in the mail as soon as possible. Your ballot must be received by the county auditor's office no later than 8:00PM on Election Day - Tuesday, November 5.
• Early voting started last week. You can vote at your county auditor's office Monday - Friday, 8:00AM-5:00PM.
• Prefer to vote on Election Day? Find your polling place here.
• Make sure you're still registered to vote! Kim Reynolds and Iowa Republicans have changed the law in an attempt people from voting by removing them from voter lists if they've not voted recently.
  
  • Remember: you can still register day-of at the polls!
• Vote for strong, fully-funded public schools! See how your lawmakers voted on book bans, private school vouchers, and defunding our Area Education Agencies. Then check out Iowa CCI's Public School Strong campaign and how to get involved here.

• Kim Hagemann, Polk County Supervisor Candidate, District 3
• Berleen Wobeter, Tama County Supervisor Candidate, District 4
• John Clayton, Poweshiek County Supervisor Candidate, At Large
• Mandi Remington, Johnson County Supervisor Candidate, At Large
• Lou Ann Milks, Fayette County Supervisor Candidate, At Large
• Tommy Hexter, House District 53 Candidate
• Kay Pence, House District 70 Candidate
• Ryan Melton, Congressional District 4 Candidate

Have you read something good lately that informs how you think about our political reality? Let us know!

• Highest and lowest-rated judges on Iowa's 2024 ballot. Like I said above, some of the most impactful decisions on our ballot are the ones we can find the least information on. But, as Laura Belin points out, the Iowa State Bar Association's Judicial Performance Reviews are a good resource for learning about judges
• I'm voting for strong, fully-funded public schools. CCI President Barb Kalbach attended one of the CCI-sponsored book tours with Jennifer Berkshire, co-author of the book Education Wars. They discussed just how important public education is, not just for students, but for our communities, our economy, and our democracy.
• Speaker Mike Johnson joins Iowa U.S. Reps. Miller-Meeks, Nunn in rallies. Once considered leaning-Republican, CD1 and CD3 are now "toss-ups." Bohannan and Baccam have closed the gap in these races, giving them a real chance to chip away at the Republican hold on Iowa. Both campaigns outraised their opponents in the last quarter, and it's forced Republicans to spend even more on advertising.
  • Check out the ads we put out in a variety of newspapers across CD1 and CD3 against Miller-Meeks and Nunn here!
• Vote yes on Johnson County conservation bond. If you live in Johnson County, you have the opportunity to vote on Johnson County's conservation bond. A yes vote helps to protect and expand hiking and biking trails in the county, as well as our natural places. People are enjoying the fruits of the last bond, whether they know it or not, and we have an opportunity to continue that tradition.