Pottawattamie County early vote count tops 10,000 as Iowa races tighten

Iowa voters in Pottawattamie County are heading to the polls in record numbers this week. By the end of Saturday, 10,200 residents had submitted absentee ballots. County Auditor Mary Ann Hanusa states this pace is on track to double the participation rate from the 2022 election.

Hanusa attributes the spike to a unique alignment of state races. She notes that Iowa is selecting both a new U.S. Senator and a new Governor for the first time since 1968. Local voters say the high-profile nature of these contests is motivating them to vote early.

Sarah Beth Ray cites the governor and Senate races as primary drivers for her decision to cast a ballot. Kenneth Toms mentions his party’s call to action. James Ray observes that the close margins in the state races raise the stakes for individual turnout.

The campaign trail in Council Bluffs has featured high-energy events in the days leading up to Tuesday. Democratic candidate Josh Turek held a rally on Sunday where he spoke to supporters about the cost of living. He referenced feedback from residents struggling to afford food and housing. Republican candidate Ashley Hinson addressed a crowd the previous Thursday, emphasizing her support for border and immigration enforcement agents.

National figures have joined local candidates in the region. Texas Senator Ted Cruz campaigned for Hinson. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear rallied for Turek. Mark Ford, a local Republican, attended the event for Turek. Ford stated that current global actions by the United States are unacceptable to him.

Election Day logistics differ from previous cycles for local precincts. Neighbors voting on Tuesday will go to their assigned precincts rather than the courthouse. The county auditor’s office will accept dropped-off absentee ballots until 8 p.m. on Tuesday.