Republicans sweep Keokuk elections

SIGOURNEY – Americans are still awaiting final results of some races following elections on Nov. 3. Keokuk County is not one of those awaiting results locally. Republican candidates easily swept the races. According to figures from auditor Christy Bates 5,319 ballots were cast for a 76.64 percent turnout rate. There are 6,940 registered voters in the county. Those numbers are significantly higher than the 2016 general election in which 5,036 voters cast ballots.

“I would say yes, this is the largest turnout we have had,” said Bates. “The results are unofficial until our canvass on Nov. 10. We normally meet on Monday, but with the large number of paperwork we will meet Tuesday.”

The biggest change was Democratic incumbent county supervisor Michael Berg lost his seat to Republican challenger Fred Snakenberg. Berg received 1,959 votes for 39.14 percent. Snakenberg garnered 60.86 percent of the vote with 3,046 votes. 

Casey Hinnah was re-elected as county sheriff running unopposed as was county auditor Christy Bates.

Several township races with all of the candidates on the ballot running unopposed. Six townships had no candidate on the ballot.

Keokuk County followed the state regarding the public measure asking whether the state should hold a constitutional convention. This automatic ballot referral asked voters whether or not to hold a constitutional convention for the purpose of proposing amendments to the Iowa Constitution. The question appears on the ballot every 10 years. This provision, which can be found in Article X, Section 3 of the Iowa Constitution, has been in the constitution since its inception in 1857.

If constitutional amendments are adopted at the convention, they will be placed on the ballot for voters to ratify or reject them. Once an amendment is on the ballot, it must be approved by a majority of voters voting on the question (rather than a majority of voters voting in the election) in order to become part of the constitution. The measure was soundly defeated 3,323 to 870.

Ten judges were up for retention. All of them including District 8A judges Gregory Milani and Rose Ann Mefford were retained.

Keokuk County had its share of early voting for this year’s election. Concerns regarding Corona virus and crowds at voting places helped fuel record early voting across Iowa and the country. Bates said those who requested then did not use the ballots put extra cost on the county.

“If you request an absentee ballot and then throw it away or not use it, that is a waste of money,” said Bates. “The wasted ballots increase the cost for elections.”

While some states had election sites with delays or broken down equipment, Bates said Tuesday election operated smoothly with no equipment breakdowns.

Election Results

President

Joseph Biden/Kamala Harris 1409

Donald Trump/Mike Pence 3785

Jo Jorgensen/Jeremy Cohen 50

All other candidates 29

US Senator

Theresa Greenfield 1484

Joni Ernst 3553

Rick Stewart 100

Suzanne Herzog

US Representative District 2

Rita Hart 1566

Marianette Miller-Meeks 3447

State Representative District 78

Kimberly Davis 1229

Jarad Klein 3740

County Supervisor

Michael Berg 1959

Fred Snakenberg 3046

Auditor

Christy Bates 4669

Sheriff

Casey Hinnah 4615