CORRECTED: Winneshiek County Voters Will Encounter Local, State and Federal Races on Nov. 3 Ballot

Editor's note: An earlier version of this article included some incorrect candidate listings due to an error in our reporting. The article has since been updated with the correct information. Winneshiek County voters will decide a slate of federal, state and local races, judicial retention questions and two local public measures when they head to their local polls for the Nov. 3 general election. Earlier this week, the Winneshiek County Auditor's Office has released its certified candidate listings and ballot information for the election. At the federal level, voters will choose between three candidates for U.S. Senate: Democrat Josh Turek, Republican Ashley Hinson and Libertarian Thomas Laehn. The U.S. House District 2 race includes Democrat Lindsay James, Republican Joe Mitchell, Libertarian Rick Stewart and independent candidate Dave Bushaw. State racesThe governor's race includes Democrat and Decorah native Rob Sand and Republican Zach Lahn. The lieutenant governor candidates are Democrat Dave Muhlbauer and Republican Derek Wulf. Voters will also choose between Democrat Ryan Peterman and Republican Paul D. Pate for secretary of state; Democrat Taylor Wettach and Republican Chris Cournoyer for auditor of state; Democrat John Norwood and Republican Roby Smith for treasurer of state; Democrat Chris Jones and Republican Mike Naig for secretary of agriculture; and Democrat Nate Willems and Republican Brenna Bird for attorney general. The state representative race for District 63 features Democrat Jeff Thurlow and Republican Michael R. Bergan. County races Three seats on the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors are on the ballot. In District 1, Democrat Patrick E. Ryan and Republican Mark Vick are running for the seat. In District 2, Democrat Mark Faldet faces Republican Daniel W. Kirkeby. Republican Dennis Kleve is the only candidate listed for District 5.Timothy Neil Keli'i Smock is the only candidate listed for county treasurer. Jayne Schultz is the only candidate listed for county recorder, and Charles W. Crain is the only candidate listed for county attorney.Four candidates are running for four seats as hospital trustees: Justin Gullekson, Mark Jensen, Rebekah Krueger and Britt Rhodes. Three candidates, Jason Ward Opheim, Scott J. Holthaus and Isaac Luzum, are running for two seats on the Soil and Water Conservation District. Four candidates, Stacey Bushman, Jill Imoehl, Chris Wicklund and Lexi Schmitt, are running for four seats on the Agriculture Extension Council. Isaac Luzum is also the only candidate listed for one Agriculture Extension Council TFV seat. Township clerk and trustee candidates will also appear on ballots throughout Winneshiek County. Judicial retentionThe ballot will include judicial retention elections for District 1A. Candidates listed for retention include Court of Appeals Judges John M. Sandy, Julie A. Schumacher and Sharon Soorholtz Greer; District 1A Associate Juvenile Judge Thomas J. Straka; District 1A Associate Judges Mark T. Hostager and Stephanie C. Rattenborg; and District 1A Judge Alan Heavens. Statewide constitutional amendmentIowa voters will also decide a statewide constitutional amendment concerning legislative approval of state income-tax increases and new state taxes on income or legal and special reserves. If approved, the amendment would require at least two-thirds of the members elected to each chamber of the Iowa Legislature to approve a bill that increases the individual income tax rate, corporate income tax rate or another state tax based on income or legal and special reserves. The same two-thirds requirement would apply to establishing a new state tax on those sources. The amendment would not apply to taxes imposed at the option of a local government. It also establishes a one-year deadline for lawsuits challenging whether a bill subject to the amendment was properly enacted. Decorah and Spillville measuresDecorah residents will vote on a $20.9 million general obligation bond or capital loan note measure. The measure asks whether the City of Decorah should be authorized to issue bonds or capital loan notes in an amount not exceeding $20.9 million, in one or more series, to pay costs associated with designing, constructing, reconstructing, enlarging, improving, equipping and furnishing municipal facilities. The stated purposes include a new fire station and renovation of City Hall, along with related site improvements. The measure comes after Decorah voters previously rejected bond proposals tied to the city's municipal facilities. In 2025, voters considered bond measures involving improvements to the fire station and City Hall, but the proposals did not receive voter approval. Spillville residents will vote on a measure changing how the city's 1% local option sales and services tax is used, effective July 1, 2027. Under the proposed change, 100% of the revenue would be allocated annually by the City Council for any lawful purpose, including capital equipment purchases and repairs; street, water, sewer and other capital improvement and maintenance projects; and assistance to the Bily Clocks Museum and Antonin Dvorak Exhibit. The city previously limited use of the local option sales and services tax to street improvements. The proposed change would broaden the permissible uses and allow the City Council to allocate the revenue based on the city's annual needs. Voting informationAbsentee ballots by mail may be requested at any time. Ballots will be mailed Oct. 14-19. In-person absentee voting will be available from Oct. 14 through Nov. 2 during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. In-person absentee voting will also be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. On Election Day, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Questions about the election can be directed to the Winneshiek County Auditor's Office at auditor@co.winneshiek.ia.us or 563-382-5085. The stories that matter to you, delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe for free.