Why is Iowa City headed for a special city council election in 2025?
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Why is Iowa City headed for a special city council election in 2025?

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Iowa City could be headed for a special election as early as 2025.

The Iowa City Council is largely in favor of holding a special election to replace current Councilman Andrew Dunn, who recently announced his retirement at the end of the year.

Dunn, 26, was appointed to the council in 2023 to replace current Sen. Janice Weiner. He mentioned increased responsibility within the local Teamsters in his resignation letter.

Here’s what to know about a potential special election:

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Why is a particular election likely?

Council members have expressed strong desire to hold a special election during informal work session discussions about a replacement for Dunn at two separate meetings this month.

A four-person majority of the six people involved in these discussions would have to vote for a special election.

“Council will hold a special election for Councilman Dunn’s seat,” Mayor Bruce Teague said Tuesday night, speaking directly to “those listening” and media in the room.

The mayor’s words aren’t official until at least the council meeting on Dec. 10 and possibly later.

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When would a special election be held?

Like the council’s discussion, no formal election schedule has been set up.

However, the council must give at least 60 days notice to the Johnson County Auditor’s Office before holding a general election for the site. The election must take place at the “earliest possible” date, City Attorney Eric Goers said. This means that the election will likely take place around, but not before, 60 days after notice is given. That can’t legally occur, say, 120 days after the council gives notice, Goers said.

Iowa law requires a primary to be held if three or more candidates file. A primary election would be required four weeks before the parliamentary election.

For example, the primary election may be held in February followed by a general election in March.

“I think for the sake of having a full council we should have the special election and do it as soon as we can,” Councilwoman Laura Bergus said Tuesday.

Further information, including estimated election dates, is expected at the council’s next meeting on December 10.

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What should potential city council candidates know?

District C candidates must reside in the districtcovering the Northside neighborhood and downtown Iowa City. An official map is available through the Johnson County Auditor’s Office.

If three or more candidates register with the county auditor, a primary election is automatically triggered 28 days before the planned parliamentary election.

Individuals interested in seeking an open Iowa City Council District C seat would need to register their campaign with the Johnson County Auditor’s Office within 53 days of the general election, Goers said.

If the council is allowed to complete a special election on Dec. 10, for example, candidates would have until Dec. 20 to file with the county auditor. This is because Saturday 8th February 2025 would be 60 days after the meeting on 10th December and the following Tuesday is 11th February.

Five of the six city council members in Iowa expressed their desire for a special election on Tuesday.

What should voters know?

All residents of Iowa City would be eligible to vote in a general election, whenever that might occur.

Only residents of District C would be able to vote during a primary election.

What would a special election cost the city?

In a late 2022 memo, City Attorney Eric Goers said an election would cost $100,000 total, split roughly evenly between the administration of the primary and general election. That number may have risen slightly since the council last considered a special election, Goers said at a previous council session.

Iowa City would pay the Johnson County Auditor’s Office out of its general fund to administer the special election, City Manager Geoff Fruin said.

What happens next?

Goers contacted the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office last week for more information on the 60-day notice. He is seeking clarity on whether the council can announce its desire for a special election before Dunn leaves his seat on Jan. 1, 2025. Goers are awaiting a response.

Meanwhile, the council asked staff to write a notice of a special election for the last council meeting of 2024 on December 10. If approved, the council could provide the required 60-day notice before Jan. 1, officially kick-starting an abbreviated campaign process.

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.

Website https://carnevalestoricocivitonico.it

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