UI graduate student casts ballot with the “public’s best interest” top of mind| 7:18 p.m.
Olivia Van Fosson-Roelfs, a graduate student in the social work program at UI voted for candidates who had the public’s best interest Tuesday.
Specifically in the school board elections, Van Fosson-Roelfs said she voted for the candidates who were looking to improve the current policies facing public education.
“I think public education is important for our society as a whole,” Van Fosson-Roelfs said. “And improving the lives and education of young individuals only leads to a greater experience for them in the future.”
Van Fosson-Roelfs said as a student in the social work program, it’s important to vote.
“Your voice matters,” Van Fosson-Roelfs said. “If we come together, we’re able to make a difference. Whether that may be a great change or a small change.”
Cole Miller
UI third-year supports city council newcomers | 6:46 p.m.
Nathan Royer, a University of Iowa third-year student, cast his vote at the UI Psychological and Brain Studies Building.
Royer voted for at-large city council candidates Clara Reynen, Newman Abuissa, and District B candidate Amy Hospadarsky.
Specifically with Reynen, Royer said her work on the vacancy tax was the main reason why he supported her.
Royer said it’s good for students to be involved in voting for the election.
“Local elections are important,” Royer said. “I think it’s important to get involved.”
Cole Miller
IC residents advocate for Teague’s continued tenure, disagree with national and state legislation | 6:22 p.m.
Joseph and Dawn Willging are residents of Iowa City, who cast their ballots Tuesday evening.
Dawn Willging said she voted for Bruce Teague, saying that she wanted him to stay on the council..
“We think he’s done a great job as mayor, and representing Iowa City,” Dawn Willging said.
Joseph Willging said he cast his vote for Jennifer Horn-Frasier and Dawn Stevenson because they align the closest with his views.
“We don’t like [the legislation] coming out of Des Moines and Washington,” Joseph Willging said. “We feel like their responses and actions would represent us well.”
Both voted yes to the 1 percent tax proposal, saying that investing in the community is a part of their civic duty.
“You’re always going to pay taxes, so it’s just about what they are being spent on and if you agree with those things,” Joseph Willging said.
Madelyn Johnson
UI Health Care nurse eagerly votes for friend on the ballot | 6:06 p.m.
Judith Wightman is a staff nurse at University of Iowa Health Care.
Wightman said she is friends with school-board candidate Jennifer Horn-Frasier, and was excited to cast a vote for her.
“I’ve never seen someone I know on the ballot, so that was really cool,” Wightman said.
Wightman voted “yes” to the 1 percent tax proposal, or LOST, saying she is happy to pay more taxes if they are doing good things for the community.
Madelyn Johnson
Local photographer looks to see more support for unhoused people in Iowa City | 5:51 p.m.
Mike Edrington, a photographer from Iowa City, voted for at-large city council candidates Clara Reynen, Newman Abuissa, and District B candidate Amy Hospadarsky.
For the school board election, Edrington voted for Jayne Finch, Jennifer Horn-Frasier, and Ruthina Malone.
Edrington voted in favor of the 1 percent tax and said the Iowa City City Council should use it toward helping the homeless population.
“I feel really strongly that we should be doing as much as we can because the population of people that are unhoused here in town is climbing all the time, especially as we get into colder weather,” he said.
Edrington said it’s important to participate in voting.
“I think especially local elections are the most important thing you can do,” Edrington said.
Cole Miller
IC financial counselor emphasizes importance of 1 percent tax proposal | 5:29 p.m.
Armando Cardenas is a financial counselor and resident of Iowa City, casting his ballot at Mercer Park Recreation Center Tuesday.
Armando is an active member of the community, and said he volunteers for a non-partisan organization called Wolf Pattern.
Armando said that he thinks it’s important to vote in every single election, especially local elections.
“I think it’s important to vote in your communities,” Cardenas said. “National ones are important, but the local ones are underrated because they are closer to home.”
Cardenas said that the 1 percent tax proposal, or LOST, was important to him as well, and he voted “yes” to the proposal.
Madelyn Johnson
UI research coordinator passionate about school safety, anti-discrimination | 5:20 p.m.
Betty Garces is a research coordinator at the University of Iowa. Garces has a young child who recently started school in the Iowa City Community School District, and said the school board election is important to her.
“Because we are not White, there have been some issues that have come up, particularly in terms of discrimination, ” Garces said. “We just want to make sure that he [her son] gets the same opportunities as everyone else.”
Garces also said a top priority for her is school safety. She wants to make sure she can guarantee her son is safe when she sends him to school everyday.
Madelyn Johnson
Retired IC resident voices expenditure concerns approved by ICCSD school board | 5:09 p.m.
Evelyn Fry is a retired resident of Iowa City, and cast her vote at Mercer Park Recreation Center Tuesday.
Fry said she was trying to get some new people into the school board. She said she was less passionate about the Iowa City City council election and wasn’t very familiar with the candidates.
“I was slightly concerned with some of the expenditures that the school board has authorized,” Fry said.
Madelyn Johnson
UI professor brings personal tie to Iowa City schools to the polls | 3:45 p.m.
Iowa City resident and University of Iowa professor Frank Salomon was voter number 39 at Petersen Residence Hall Tuesday.
Salomon said he voted for Megan Alter, Bruce Teague, and his local representative Shawn Harmsen for Iowa City City Council, and he voted for incumbents Ruthina Malone and Jayne Finch for school board.
“I’ve been to city council meetings and followed some education discussions, and I think highly of those people,” Salomon said. “I’ve heard Teague and Alter speak out in council sessions.”
Salomon said he voted for Malone and Finch because he feels that the schools in Iowa City have maintained the good standards they had when his stepson went to high school there.
Salomon said voting in local elections is crucial.
“Local elections are the part of politics where an ordinary citizen really gets a chance to influence,” he said. “I was told that I’m just voter number 39. So [far] I’m 1/39th of my neighborhood’s electorate, that’s a power vote.”
Liz Sleper
UI Carver College of Medicine student appreciates the young voice Clara Reynen could bring to the council | 3:41 p.m.
Margaret Huang, a first-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, said she wanted young representation on the Iowa City City Council.
Huang cast her vote Tuesday at Petersen Residence Hall. She voted for Clara Reynen because she liked someone so young could make a difference in the community. Huang is also a big fan of libraries, at which Reynen has some background.
“I think librarians get a lot of stuff done, and I think it will be cool to see a young librarian who’s really passionate about the city,” Huang said. “I want to see what she wants to do.”
Huang said she also liked Reynen’s stances on artificial intelligence, housing affordability, and immigration.
Huang said although she isn’t a statistician, her vote will probably count more in this local election than it would a national election.
“If you want to see a lot of change, especially in an area where you live, then you want to make sure that you are contributing to those decisions,” Huang said.
Liz Sleper
UI student calls for fixing “the housing problem” in Iowa City | 3:03 p.m.
Katie Kennedy, a first-year student at the University of Iowa, voted for Clara Reynen and Bruce Teague for the Iowa City City Council today at Petersen Residence Hall.
“I was educating myself earlier this week about their policies,” Kennedy said, “and I really think fixing the homeless problem and the housing problem are things I would like to see in Iowa City.”
Kennedy said the candidates up for election might someday be our national representatives, so it’s important to vote even at the local level.
“If you’re not voting, then it’s just anybody that’s on the ballot who could be in office,” she said.
Liz Sleper
UI student calls IC City Council candidate Clara Reynen the “GOAT” | 2:32 p.m.
Brady Johnson, a second-year psychology student at the University of Iowa, voted for Clara Reynen for city council at Petersen Residence Hall today.
Johnson appreciated Reynen’s communication with Iowa City citizens, calling her the “GOAT,” which stands for the “greatest of all time.”
“I liked her priorities,” Johnson said. “She wanted to focus on public safety initiatives and more community, and her AI regulation stuff is really helpful.”
Johnson also said he thinks it’s important to vote in local elections.
“Not many people turn out, so your vote could be the deciding factor,” he said.
Liz Sleper
UI student voter finds it difficult to choose between city council candidates | 2:00 p.m.
As of 2:00 p.m., voter turnout at Catlett Residence Hall has been a drip-fed process. Thirty-five people have cast their votes at Catlett since the polls opened at 7 a.m.
Jack Petersen, a Des Moines native and University of Iowa first-year, voted for Bruce Teague and Clara Reynen for the Iowa City City Council.
Petersen said all of the candidates seemed to promote similar policies and values, therefore making it difficult for him to label any as a bad fit.
“I’m not really used to that,” he said. “It was just kind of narrowing it down based on who they are as people. There’s very specific policies that I like. Clara mentioned policy on AI regulation, which I think would be very beneficial, especially in a college town where it is certainly, I think, being abused in a way.”
Petersen said he appreciated Reynen’s background as a librarian.
Petersen also said he appreciates Teague and Reynen’s support of social justice and the treatment of marginalized groups.
“Both of them mentioned heavily about LGBTQ+ rights, as well as immigration and stuff like that, which I think is very important,” he said.
Jacob Calvin
UI Student voter enthusiastic about sales tax initiative | 1:49 p.m.
Emre Ustomar, a University of Iowa second-year student and an Iowa City resident, voted at Catlett Residence Hall this afternoon.
Ustomar did not vote for any city council or school board candidates, instead voting in favor of the Local Option Sales Tax.
“I’m cool with what the money is going for — the relief, the infrastructure,” he said. “Cities run on these things, and it’s good they’re getting more funding. I think it’s good for our infrastructure, our taxes will be going to something. And honestly, it’s not that big of an increase in price.”
Jacob Calvin
Iowa City resident wants to see improved education infrastructure | 1:43 p.m.
Mark Grulke, an Iowa City resident who works in the culinary field, cast his vote at the Iowa City Community School Board Building.
Grulke said he wants the local schools to be supported and to maintain quality education.
Iowa City schools should be the best in the state, if not the country, Grulke said.
Grulke did not disclose the candidates he voted for but he said there needs to be more advocacy within the school board on different important topics.
“We really need to advocate for funding, we need to advocate for the teachers and better salary, we need to advocate for better infrastructure,” Grulke said.
Grulke said people seem to be tired of national politics but local elections are still important for Iowa City residents.
“Higher voter turnout is better representation for everybody,” Grulke. “It’s an important thing for everybody to go out and do.”
Cole Miller
Iowa City teacher, voter emphasizes long-term planning in candidate choice | 1:10 p.m.
Megan Glass, a teacher in Iowa City who cast her vote at the Iowa City Community School Board building, said the city council and school board elections are some of the most important elections for residents to participate in.
“Those are the local elected officials that make decisions based on real day-to-day things that affect people’s lives,” Glass said.
Glass said she is looking for candidates with good skill sets to impact Iowa City.
“I’m looking for people who have good strategic planning skills that can look at things that are happening now and how they’re going to impact our school and community years down the road,” Glass said.
Cole Miller
UI student prioritizes local option sales tax | 1:10 p.m.
Reuben Leveridge, a University of Iowa second-year student from Davenport, Iowa, voted at Catlett this afternoon.
Leveridge did not vote for any city council or school board candidates, but rather voted in favor of the Local Option Sales Tax, or LOST.
Leveridge said Iowa City has a massive consumer base that can provide for public services. He pointed out that many college students have less financial burdens than working adults, giving more wiggle room for a local sales tax.
“Maybe they should have just a little bit extra to provide for public services, especially with the downturn in federal programs,” he said. “It’s important that we compensate for that on the local level.”
Leveridge said although local elections don’t receive a great deal of attention, they are a luxury that few other people across the world can enjoy.
“On a fundamental level, it’s important that we serve as an example,” he said. “If we’re going to be the greatest country in the world, if we’re going to have the best democracy in the world, it’s pretty important to show that off and stand up for what our founding principles are where people make decisions at the local level.”
Jacob Calvin
Retired school teacher expresses interest in decision-making of current council | 12:55 p.m.
Melanie Gibbens, a retired school teacher who lives in Iowa City, cast her vote at the Iowa City Community School Board building.
Gibbens did not disclose the candidates she voted for but shared her viewpoint on the city council.
“I was interested in some of the decisions the city council made,” Gibbens said. “With doubling the parking prices — that happened kind of quickly.”
Gibbens also said she was interested in the local option sales tax and that people should be involved in voting for the city council and school board candidates.
“We should be involved in the voting for sure,” Gibbens said.
Cole Miller
UI student, voter says inclusion impacted her school board vote | 12:34 p.m.
Katherine Slattery, a University of Iowa first-year student originally from Kansas City, cast her vote at Catlett Residence Hall this afternoon.
Slattery did most of her research on the school board election and voted for Ruthina Malone, Jennifer Horn-Frasier, and Dan Stevenson.
“They seemed to represent my values the most,” she said. “It’s the school board, and they all are either former teachers or have connections to teachers, which I thought was really important when you’re working with a school.”
Slattery’s mom and grandparents were all teachers, leading her to value education. Slattery said she also appreciates that each of the candidates she voted for values inclusion.
“I put a lot of effort into inclusion, and all of them had really similar views when it came to inclusion,” she said. “There’s a lot of DEI stuff still working its way into the system, and I think that that’s just really important.”
Slattery said local elections are important because they determine what affects city residents most directly.
“People love to complain about crosswalks or anything to do with potholes, stuff like that,” she said. “That’s the stuff that’s being impacted by your city council. That’s the stuff that’s happening in your area. That’s why it’s important to participate in your local elections.”
Jacob Calvin
IC resident, UI employee votes for Ruthina Malone, Bruce Teague | 12:20 p.m.
Katy Krapfl, an Iowa City resident who works for the University of Iowa IT Department, voted at the Iowa City Community School Board building.
For the school board election, Krapfl voted for Ruthina Malone.
“I think she’s done a good job and has great ideas for the school district,” Krapfl said.
Krapfl also voted for at-large city council candidate Bruce Teague.
Krapfl said it’s important to vote in the local election.
“The local level is where things start and change, and keep the schools going in the right direction,” Krapfl said.
Cole Miller
Experience is key factor for IC voter | 11:32 a.m.
Penny Rembolt, an Iowa City resident, cast her vote at the Iowa City Community School Board building.
Rembolt said voting in the local election is an important thing to do.
“These are people who are going to be making major decisions for both our school system and our town,” Rembolt said.
Rembolt voted for the school district candidates who were endorsed by the Iowa City Education Agency — Jayne Finch, Ruthina Malone, and Dan Stevenson.
“I felt in the end that these were people who had the biggest stake in the outcome of the election and who had the most influence on our children,” Rembolt said.
For the city council election, Rembolt voted for at-large candidate Bruce Teague.
“He’s a reputable person,” Rembolt said. “The others also have done a good job. Right now, I think we could use some stability.”
The city council should continue to make Iowa City a welcoming environment, Rembolt said.
One major policy Rembolt was interested in was the local option tax.
“I think the local option tax will have a very important impact on Iowa City,” Rembolt said.
Cole Miller
IC voter advocates for continuing fare-free bus policy, freedom of expression in schools | 11:18 a.m.
Dalton Bantz, an Iowa City resident, cast his vote at the Iowa City Community School District building.
Bantz voted for at-large city council candidates Megan Alter and Bruce Teague, District B candidate Shawn Harmsen, and Iowa City Community School District candidates Dan Stevenson, Jayne Finch, and Ruthina Malone.
Bantz said free city buses were a major policy he supported.
“I think they improve the quality of living for everybody,” Bantz said. “They help people support businesses and go places they want to go.”
Bantz said a continuation of the fare free bus policy will have a major impact on Iowa City.
“It feels like it will help everybody get to places easily,” Bantz said. “And I think that’s always going to be a good thing for our city.”
Bantz said he is against book banning within the Iowa City Community School District.
“I think freedom of expression is an important thing to teach young people,” Bantz said.
Cole Miller
IC resident supports local option sales tax | 9:53 a.m.
Alan Swanson, an Iowa City resident, casted his vote Tuesday morning at the Iowa City Senior Center.
Swanson said anytime something like the local option sales tax is on the ballot, he will vote “yes.”
“I just like to see progress,” Swanson said. “Everything in there has been very well thought through by other people who prepare all these issues for us, and I trust them to pick the right things.”
Swanson also said Iowa City has given back to him, so it’s important he comes out to vote when he can.
“Well, this is a wonderful city,” he said, “But it needs to be supported and it needs to be carefully watched.”
Grace Bartlett
Local resident expresses concern with public schools, education | 9:29 a.m.
Marilyn Calkins, an Iowa City resident, cast her vote at the Iowa City Senior Center Tuesday.
Calkins said she votes in every election, as it keeps her informed on current issues. She felt strongest about the school board election and education in Iowa City.
“I’m very concerned on the schools, public schools are so important,” she said. “It’s just important that we have people who really care about education and are doing the best for everybody, not just one small segment of the population.”
Grace Bartlett
UI student votes with rent concerns on her mind | 9:06 a.m.
Anna Connor, University of Iowa third-year international student , cast her ballot in the 2025 elections Tuesday morning.
Connor said that getting involved at a local level was important to her, as local decisions are what ultimately affect students. Connor voted for Clara Reynen and Bruce Teague.
“I really believe in the values that they have, and I think that it’ll help propel Iowa City forward, especially for students and with rent concerns,” she said.
Grace Bartlett
Local elections have more impact than most think, Iowa City voter says | 8:56 a.m.
Meredith Hamlyn, an Iowa City resident, voted at the Iowa City Senior Center Tuesday morning.
Hamlyn said that it is important to exercise the right to vote, especially in local elections.
“Voting in local elections impacts us far more than what I think most people realize,” Hamlyn said, “This election was important to participate in.”
Hamlyn voted for Clara Reynen, calling her a refreshing candidate.
“I see her as a leader that is not afraid to stand up for basic things like human rights,” Hamlyn said, “We need people to be willing to open up and speak out on behalf of other people that are being mistreated.”
Grace Bartlett
Iowa City resident and lawyer votes for local option sales tax | 8:43 a.m.
Iowa City residents Buffie and Dick Tucker voted for Iowa City City Council and ICCSD school board incumbents and voted “yes” on the local option sales tax at West High School.
Dick, who is a lawyer, said they come out to vote in every election.
“We vote every time we have an opportunity to,” he said. “That’s one of the privileges that we have being citizens in this country, and it’s important for people to do that.”
He added that he voted “yes” on the local option sales tax because a good portion of that money stays in the community.
“We’ll fund things that I believe are important, and sadly, we have to send some of the money to the state, but that’s the way it goes,” Dick said.
Anna Olson
UI graduate student votes for ICCSD school board incumbents | 8:43 a.m.
Jack Bryson, a graduate student at the University of Iowa, cast his vote this morning at the Iowa City Senior Center before his classes.
Bryson, who is also a former educator, said he felt it was necessary for him to come out and vote today. He voted for Jayne Finch, Ruthina Malone, and Dan Stevenson.
“They’re incumbents, and I think we have one of the best school programs in the state,” Bryson said
Bryson cited the school board’s previous work instating a district-wide cell phone ban as one of the reasons he is giving his support to incumbents.
“I view myself as a progressive educator,” Bryson said, “One of the things that affected me when I was teaching was phones in schools, and I think they’ve been very proactive about the district wide cell phone ban and that’s a policy I tend to support.”
Grace Bartlett
UI student voter casts ballot for civic duty | 8:34 a.m.
University of Iowa graduate student and Iowa City resident Colleen Kollasch voted at West High School.
She said she came out to vote because it’s a basic right in America.
“I think it’s our civic duty,” Kollasch said. “And if we want changes in this world, we have to vote and get people into office that are going to advocate for everybody that lives in the area and ensure we are creating a safe, equitable society.”
Anna Olson
Iowa City resident wants to see another term from Mayor Bruce Teague | 8:29 a.m.
Iowa City residents Vern Duba and John Fever cast their votes at West High School this morning.
Duba said he voted for incumbent Bruce Teague to hold an at-large seat on the Iowa City City Council. He said he came out specifically to vote for the sitting mayor.
“It’s important that citizens exercise their right to do this, and because we have so little control over the craziness that’s happening nationally,” he said. “We can work at this grassroots level to help change and make Johnson County and Iowa City better.”
Fever said he voted “yes” on the local option sales tax because the 1 percent increase is such a small amount of money that will go toward benefiting the community.
“We already have these really great facilities, and we were talking about having people that were coming in from out of town, like on football days, and utilizing all of our facilities,” he said. “Now we’re going to get a bit of revenue from them.”
Anna Olson
Candidate Clara Reynen casts her ballot | 8:11 a.m.
Iowa City City Council at-large candidate and Iowa City resident Clara Reynen cast her vote at West High School this morning.
She voted for herself for an at-large seat, Amy Hospodarsky in District B, Ruthina Malone, Dan Stevenson, and Jennifer Horn-Frasier for school board, and voted “yes” on the local sales option tax.
Reynen said she voted for Hospodarsky in District B because she will stand up for people the most.
“I know with her skills as a facilitator she’s going to be able to help facilitate hard conversations and really get city council working together on the same page,” she said.
Reynen said she voted for school board candidates Malone, Stevenson, and Horn-Frasier because she has had the best conversations with them.
Anna Olson