Voters in both Iowa City and Linn County had a chance to speak out on a number of ballot measures.
Iowa City Public Measure C
In Iowa City, voters approved a ballot measure to decrease the number of signatures required to place a measure on the ballot. The measure passed with 58 percent of the votes.
The measure decreased the number of eligible signatures required to force an initiative or referendum vote to 10 percent of the number of people who voted in the last regular city election, but no fewer than 10. The requirement was previously 25 percent but no fewer than 3,600.
The requirements were previously changed in April 2015, increasing the minimum requirement from 2,500 to 3,600, but allowed petitioners to gather signatures from any individuals eligible to vote, rather than the previous requirement that signees be registered voters.
| Iowa City Public Measure C | ||
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 16,439 | 58.0% |
| No | 11,922 | 42.0% |
| Total Votes: 28,361 | ||
Linn County Public Measure D
Linn County voters decided to decrease the number of supervisors on the Linn County Board of Supervisors from five to three, which will take effect January 2019.
The board was previously increased in 2006 from three to five supervisors. The current board structure, which has been in place since January 2009, has a five-member board with each supervisor required to live in his or her district and be elected by residents of that district.
| Linn County Public Measure D | ||
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 49,909 | 51.2% |
| No | 47,615 | 48.8% |
| Total Votes: 97,524 | ||
Linn County Public Measure E
Voters cast ballots to approve a Linn County measure to levy a tax to help fund water quality and land protection measures and support park and trail improvements.
Specifics about how the projects were to be financed were not included in the language on the ballot. However, according to news reports, the measure would be for a $40 million, 20-year bond issue — $22 million for water quality and land protection and $18 million for trails and parks.
At least 60 percent of the votes were needed to pass the referendum, which garnered 74 percent of the vote.
| Linn County Public Measure E | ||
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 73,899 | 73.9% |
| No | 26,084 | 26.1% |
| Total Votes: 99,983 | ||
Marion Public Measure F
Marion residents opted to change they way they vote for city council members, moving toward a system in which residents vote for one of four ward council members to represent the ward where they live.
Previously, residents could vote for city council candidates outside of their wards. Under the new system, voters will be able to select three at-large members, including the mayor, as well as one of the four ward representatives.
| Marion Public Measure F | ||
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 13,405 | 79.1% |
| No | 3,549 | 20.9% |
| Total Votes: 16,954 | ||
Editor’s Note
The full election results for state and local elections, as well as information about how Iowa voted at the top of the ballot, are available through the Iowa Secretary of State’s website. The Iowa election results available on the site are currently unofficial. Results will be updated as more information becomes available and official results will be available following the state canvass on Dec. 5, 2016.
