Voting opens in primary that sees challenges in key races

Democratic, Republican ballots available now for June 5 primary

Webster County Supervisors Keith Dencklau and Merrill Leffler were among the first to vote in the upcoming primaries.

Early voting opened Monday at 8 a.m. for the primary election, which will be on June 5. Voting is available at the Webster County auditor's office, 701 Central Ave., from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Ballots are also available by mail to all Iowa voters. Requests for an absentee ballot can be made in person at the auditor's office, or by mail on a form which can be downloaded from http://is.gd/govote.

Requests for absentee ballots must be received in the auditor's office by 5 p.m. May 25, Auditor Doreen Pliner said.

Voters will vote on either the Democratic, Republican or Libertarian ballot. Having a prior membership in any party is not required, Pliner said; when voters come to the office or mail in their request for a ballot, they can simply say which ballot they want.

The vote will determine who is on the ballot in the general election in county, state and federal races.

None of the county candidates face primary challengers.

The last day to pre-register to vote for the primary election is also May 25. The Webster County auditor's office will be open until 5 p.m. that Friday, Pliner said.

Voters this year will be required to show an approved form of ID before they can cast a ballot, she said. Pre-registered voters who are unable to show approved ID may sign an oath of identification for an election held in 2018. Voters who are not pre-registered or who have changed precincts also may be required to provide proof of residence.

Any voter who cannot show ID may have their identity attested to by another registered voter in the precinct who has proper ID.

The office will be open on a Saturday, June 2, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for one more chance at early voting.

Dencklau and Leffler, both Republicans, are up for re-election this year. Neither faces a primary challenge.

It appears that Dencklau will also run unopposed in the general, while Leffler faces a challenge from Democrat Niki Conrad.

Eugene Melvin Newsome initially had filed to run as a Democrat, but later withdrew his name from the ballot. He won't be on any primary ballot, though he may later run as an independent.

At the federal level, U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Kiron, faces a primary election opponent. Cyndi Hanson, R-Sioux City, will challenge him for the 4th Congressional District seat.

Three Democrats have also filed to take on the incumbent congressman -- Leann Jacobsen, of Spencer; John Paschen, of Ames; and J.D. Scholten, of Sioux City.

In the Iowa Legislature, House District 9 will see Ann Meyer and Gary Waechter, both of Fort Dodge, vying for the Republican nomination.

Democrat Megan Srinivas, of Fort Dodge, is unopposed on her ballot. Current District 9 state Rep. Helen Miller, a Democrat, announced her retirement this year. House District 9 includes Badger, Clare, Duncombe, Fort Dodge, Vincent and rural areas of northern Webster County.

State Rep. Mike Sexton, R-Rockwell City, has a primary election challenger in House District 10. He will face Tom Hoefling, of Lohrville.

Jake Thompson, of Rockwell City, is unopposed on the Democratic ticket for that seat. House District 10 includes Calhoun, Humboldt and Pocahontas counties, plus western Webster County.

Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, is unopposed. Six Democrats will be in the primary to seek to run for governor in November.

Four Republicans are challenging Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig for the Republican nomination to that position. Naig and candidates Ray Gaesser, Chad Ingels, Craig Lang and Dan Zumbach will answer questions during a forum in Fort Dodge at on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Fort Frenzy.

For more information and a complete list of candidates visit sos.iowa.gov/elections/electioninfo/primary.