New filing periods take hold for county elections

Legislative adjustments have led to changes in the filing period for county elections in Iowa.

Under new guidelines, candidates for county seats must file for both the Primary and General elections in approximately the same period.

For the June 2, 2020 Primary, the changes state that those running as a Republican or Democrat for the office of Franklin County Supervisor District 3, Franklin County Auditor or the Franklin County Sheriff must between March 2 and March 25.

Filing for offices on the General election ballot as non-partisan (non-party) candidates for the positions of District 3 Supervisor, Auditor and Sheriff, as well as township trustees and clerks, Franklin General Hospital Board of Trustees and the Franklin County Soil and Water Commission must be done between March 2 and March 20. The only non-party position not affected by changes is the Ag Extension board. The filing deadline for that position is August 26.

Franklin County Auditor Michelle Giddings said previously, candidates could file for the primary election as either a Democrat or Republican by the March filing deadline and then file for a position as a non-party candidate in the General Election by the August deadline. Now, Giddings said, candidates must file for both elections at the same time if they so choose. Example: Should a candidate win his or her primary, he or she can withdraw their non-party bid papers from the race by a certain deadline. Those candidates who do not win the primary but have filed for the General Election as a non-party candidate will then have their names on the ballot in November as a non-party candidate.

Candidates who wish to file for either election must obtain a certain number of signatures to qualify. The number of signatures vary based on the position for which a candidate is running for. Because signatures are required to qualify for both the primary and general elections, Giddings said a candidate must have separate nomination papers and Affidavits per each election. She said signatures for both elections may be signed by the same persons,

For more information, contact the Auditor’s office at 641-456-5622.