Wapello County voters will head to the polls Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the General Election. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
The Wapello County Auditor’s Office is reminding voters to be aware of important registration and absentee voting deadlines ahead of Election Day.
Absentee Voting Information
In-person absentee voting will begin October 14 and continue through November 2, 2026.
Voters who want an absentee ballot mailed to them must submit a written absentee ballot request to the Wapello County Auditor’s Office by 5 p.m. Monday, October 19.
Voted absentee ballots must be received by the Wapello County Auditor’s Office no later than 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 3. Voters should not rely on a postmark alone. Iowa law requires absentee ballots to be received by the county auditor by the applicable deadline.
The Wapello County Auditor’s Office will also be open Saturday, October 31, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
The Auditor’s Office is located at:
Wapello County Courthouse
101 W. 4th Street
Ottumwa, Iowa 52501
For questions about voting or absentee ballots, contact the Wapello County Auditor’s Office at 641-683-0020. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Voter Registration
The pre-registration deadline for the November 3 General Election is 5 p.m. Monday, October 19, 2026. Iowa also allows eligible voters to register and vote on Election Day at the polling place assigned to their current address.
Voters must be U.S. citizens, meet Iowa voter eligibility requirements and be at least 18 years old by Election Day.
Voters who are pre-registered, registering on Election Day, pending voters, or changing precincts on Election Day may need to provide proof of identity and residency.
Acceptable Proof of Identity
- Iowa driver’s license, not expired more than 90 days
- Iowa non-operator’s ID, not expired more than 90 days
- U.S. passport, not expired
- U.S. military or veteran ID, not expired
- Iowa Voter Identification Card, signed
- Tribal ID card or document, signed, with photo and not expired
Acceptable Proof of Residence
Proof of residence must include the voter’s name and current address and generally must be current within 45 days. Documents may be presented electronically or on paper.
Acceptable documents include:
- Residential lease
- Utility bill, including a cell phone bill
- Bank statement
- Paycheck
- Government check
- Other government document
- Property tax statement, current within 45 days of the final payment date
Voters who cannot provide the required identification or proof of residence may have their identity attested to by another registered voter in the precinct or may cast a provisional ballot.
Wapello County Polling Places
Voters should make sure they are going to the polling location assigned to their precinct.
Adams Township — Blakesburg City Hall, 101 State St., Blakesburg
Blakesburg City — Blakesburg City Hall, 101 State St., Blakesburg
Agency Township — Agency Community Center, 102 W. Main St., Agency
Agency City — Agency Community Center, 102 W. Main St., Agency
Cass Township — Chillicothe City Hall, 205 Main St., Chillicothe
Chillicothe City — Chillicothe City Hall, 205 Main St., Chillicothe
Center Township — Bridge View Center, 102 Church St., Ottumwa
Columbia Township — Eddyville Public Library, 202 Second St., Eddyville
Competine Township — Highland Center Township Hall, 9906 Highland Center Road
Dahlonega Township — IHCC-Advanced Technology Center, Entrance 15, 525 Grandview Ave., Ottumwa
Green Township — Zion Community Church, 15714 Copperhead Road
Highland Township — Highland Center Township Hall, 9906 Highland Center Road
Keokuk Township — Hickory Grove Community Church, 3929 U.S. Highway 63
Ottumwa City Precincts
Precinct 1 — Penn Ave Free Methodist Church, 820 E. Pennsylvania Ave.
Precinct 2 — North Court Baptist Church, 1411 N. Court St.
Precinct 3 — Great Prairie AEA, 2814 N. Court Road
Precinct 4 — American Legion, 550 W. Main St.
Precinct 5 — Wapello County Courthouse, 101 W. 4th St.
Precinct 6 — Bridge View Center, 102 Church St.
Precinct 7 — Davis Street Christian Church, 202 S. Davis St.
Precinct 8 — Wapello County Rural Fire Department, 714 W. Mary St.
Precinct 9 — Bible Baptist Church, 944 W. Williams St.
Precinct 10 — Life Church, 1957 Albia Road
Pleasant Township — Agency Community Center, 102 W. Main St., Agency
Polk Township — Blakesburg City Hall, 101 State St., Blakesburg
Richland Township — Kirkville City Hall, 101 W. Main St., Kirkville
Washington Township — Eldon Library Hall, 608 W. Elm St., Eldon
Candidates on the November 3 Ballot
The following candidates are listed for the Wapello County General Election ballot.
United States Senator
Vote for no more than one
- Josh Turek — Democratic
- Ashley Hinson — Republican
- Thomas Laehn — Libertarian
United States Representative, District 3
Vote for no more than one
- Sarah Trone Garriott — Democratic
- Zach Nunn — Republican
Governor/Lieutenant Governor
Vote for no more than one
- Rob Sand/Dave Muhlbauer — Democratic
- Zach Lahn/Derek Wulf — Republican
Secretary of State
Vote for no more than one
- Ryan Peterman — Democratic
- Paul D. Pate — Republican
Auditor of State
Vote for no more than one
- Taylor Wettach — Democratic
- Chris Cournoyer — Republican
Treasurer of State
Vote for no more than one
- John Norwood — Democratic
- Roby Smith — Republican
Secretary of Agriculture
Vote for no more than one
- Chris Jones — Democratic
- Mike Naig — Republican
Attorney General
Vote for no more than one
- Nate Willems — Democratic
- Brenna Bird — Republican
State Senator, District 13
Vote for no more than one
- Brenda Case — Democratic
- Jeff Kulmatycki — Republican
State Representative, District 25
Vote for no more than one
- Kolton Jones — Democratic
- Hans C. Wilz — Republican
State Representative, District 26
Vote for no more than one
- Brett Mohler — Democratic
- Austin Harris — Republican
Wapello County Board of Supervisors
Vote for no more than two
- Laurie L. Fountain — Democratic
- Dennis Willhoit — Democratic
- Darren Batterson — Republican
- Bryan Ziegler — Republican
County Treasurer
Vote for no more than one
- Valerie McElroy — Republican
County Recorder
Vote for no more than one
- Autum L. Wonderlin — Republican
County Attorney
Vote for no more than one
- Steviee Grove — Republican
County Auditor — To Fill Vacancy
Vote for no more than one
- Danielle Weller — Republican
Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners
Vote for no more than two
- Keith Lewis
- Connie Beinhart
Township Trustees
Voters may vote for no more than two township trustees per township unless otherwise noted.
- Adams: Mike Orman, Scott Sandeen
- Polk: Charles Harris, Aaron Angle
- Agency: Carleton Leigh Dial
- Pleasant: No candidates
- Cass: Randal Maloy, Glenn E. Harter
- Center: Jerry Angle, David Yeager
- Columbia: Duane Akers, Brad Lehman
- Competine: William S. Wilkening, James D. Sterling
- Dahlonega: Dan Quinn, Jon Simplot
- Green: Caleb Ziegler
- Highland: Tony Bayliss, Rusty Zook
- Keokuk: Edward E. McDowell
- Keokuk: Vote for no more than one to fill the vacancy
- Richland: Tom Doyle, Perry Middlesworth
- Washington: Dave Weir, Doug Manley
Township Clerks
Voters may vote for no more than one township clerk per township.
- Adams: Lori Orman
- Polk: Laura See
- Agency: Danielle Batterson
- Pleasant: No candidate
- Cass: No candidate
- Center: Carolyn J. Walker
- Columbia: Megan Lehman
- Competine: Joan Sterling
- Dahlonega: Nancy Manson
- Green: Derek Ziegler
- Highland: Julie Bayliss
- Keokuk: Tasha Robertson
- Richland: Charlene Doyle
- Washington: Lori Ann Franklin
County Agricultural Extension Council
Vote for no more than four
- Angela Mach
- Tierney Lain
- Melissa J. Reed-Appel
Judicial Retention
Voters will also be asked whether the following judges should be retained in office.
Court of Appeals Judges
Yes or No
- John M. Sandy
- Julie A. Schumacher
- Sharon Soorholtz Greer
District 8A Judges
Yes or No
- Amber L. Thompson
- Dustin Hite
District 8A Associate Judges
Yes or No
- Jennifer Nicole Jensen
- Susan Cole
Statewide Public Measure 1
Voters will be asked whether to amend the Iowa Constitution to require at least two-thirds of the members elected to each chamber of the Iowa Legislature to approve a bill that would increase the individual income tax rate, corporate income tax rate, or another state tax based on income or legal and special reserves.
The proposed amendment would also require a two-thirds vote to establish a new state tax on income or legal and special reserves. Taxes imposed at the option of a local government would be excluded from the requirement.
The amendment also establishes a one-year deadline for lawsuits challenging whether a bill subject to the provision was properly enacted.
Vote: Yes or No
Wapello County Public Measure A
Voters will be asked whether Wapello County should issue general obligation bonds or capital loan notes in an amount not exceeding $45 million.
The funds would be used for designing, erecting, reconstructing, extending, equipping and furnishing the existing jail facility, including an expansion of the facility and related grounds and site improvements.
Vote: Yes or No
Public Measure LR — Fairfield Community School District
Voters will be asked whether the Fairfield Community School District may contract indebtedness and issue general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding $24.85 million.
The proposed funding would be used to build, furnish and equip additions to and remodel, repair, improve and equip the middle school building. The project includes fine arts, career and technical education, library, commons, kitchen and gymnasium spaces, along with related site improvements.
The district includes portions of Jefferson, Henry, Van Buren, Wapello and Washington counties.
Vote: Yes or No
Public Measure MN — Pekin Community School District
Voters will be asked whether the Pekin Community School District may contract indebtedness and issue general obligation bonds in an amount not exceeding $9.2 million.
The proposed funding would be used to build, furnish and equip additions to the school building, including classroom and commons areas, and to remodel, repair, improve and equip the school building. The project includes a secure entrance, HVAC, mechanical, electrical and plumbing improvements, parking, accessibility and related site improvements.
The district includes portions of Jefferson, Keokuk, Wapello and Washington counties.
Vote: Yes or No
Voters are encouraged to review their registration information, confirm their assigned polling location and make note of the absentee voting deadlines before Election Day.
The Wapello County Auditor’s Office is located at 101 W. 4th Street in Ottumwa and can be reached at 641-683-0020. Additional election information, including voting instructions and sample ballots when available, is provided through the Wapello County Elections Office.
Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Poll Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Source: Wapello County Auditor’s Office and Iowa Secretary of State. The county’s official election information lists the Auditor’s Office at 101 W. 4th Street in Ottumwa and provides the election and voting information for Wapello County.
