Elections

City of Newton Mayor and City Council elections are held in November in odd-numbered years. The next City election will be held on November 2, 2021.

Offices that will be on the November ballot include Mayor, Council Member At-Large, Council Member Ward 2, and Council Member Ward 4. Below is a listing of candidates who filed by the deadline. See a map of the current City of Newton wards here.

2021 Candidates for Newton Mayor

  • Michael L. Hansen

2021 Candidates for Council Member At-Large

  • Evelyn George

2021 Candidates for Council Member Ward 2

  • Melissa Dalton
  • Ethan Vaas

2021 Candidates for Council Member Ward 4

  • No candidate filed

Newton Community School District Election

City of Newton Residents will also be voting in the Newton Community School District election. Following is a list of candidates who filed by the deadline: Eizabeth Hammerly, Cody Muhs, Raymond Whipple, Graham Sullivan, Jeff Holschuh, Travis Padget, Robyn Friedman, Matthew Holmes

Precinct Polling Places

The precinct polling places in Newton have been temporarily combined. Below a list and addresses for this election shows where the four polling places in Newton are located:

  • NT 1: Newton City Ward 1 Precincts NT 1-1 and NT 1-2: Jasper County Church of Christ, 1813 1st St. N., Newton, IA 50208 
  • NT 2: Newton City Ward 2 Precincts NT 2-1 and NT 2-2: St. Luke United Methodist Church, 501 E. 19th St. N., Newton, IA 50208
  • NT 3: Newton City Ward 3 Precincts NT 3-1 and NT 3-2: Jasper County Community Center, 2401 1st Ave. W., Newton, IA 50208 
  • NT 4: Newton City Ward 4 Precincts NT 4-1 and NT 4-2: American Legion, 1101 W. 4th St. S., Newton, IA 50208

To learn what precinct/polling place is applicable to you the Secretary of State has provided this tool: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx

Voter Registration

The Voter Pre-Registration Deadline for this Election is October 18, 2021 in the Auditor’s Office or by mail if postmarked on or before October 18, 2021. The deadline for registered voters to request an Absentee Ballot by mail is October 18, 2021. If an eligible elector is unable to register to vote on or before the registration deadline, Iowa Law permits Election Day Registration at their polling location with current proof of Identity AND Residence within the precinct. 

All voters are required to provide an approved form of identification at the polling place before receiving and casting a ballot. Voters who are not pre-registered – such as voters registering to vote on election day – and voters who have changed precincts will also be required to provide proof of residence. A person who is eligible to register to vote, may register on election day and vote by appearing in person at the polling place for the precinct in which the individual resides. The voter must complete a voter registration application, sign a written oath, and provide acceptable proof of identity and acceptable proof of residence. Acceptable documents which can be used as proof of identity and proof of residence are very specific and substitutes will not be accepted. To see all forms of approved ID visit http://sos.iowa.gov/voterid.

For candidates:

For residents:

More about Newton's Local Government

To many the role of mayor or council member may seem simple — go to a meeting, vote and go home. However, the reality of policy leadership is more complex, challenging and interesting. In fact, the roles of mayor or council are multi-faceted, fluid and at times can be situational. The many roles that policy leaders assume all require various skills and may rely on a variety of strategies and methods. Also, there are general components of leadership such as communication or representation that are part of nearly all situations or roles.

Newton’s government is made up of a mayor and six council members. Four council members represent the four wards in Newton, while two council members serve as at-large council members and represent the city as a whole. The mayor is elected for a two-year term and councilpersons serve four-year terms. Any resident over 18 can vote, if they are registered and live within city limits.

The city council acts as the official policy-making body of the city, adopting all ordinances, resolutions and approving contracts required by the city. The Council analyzes proposals to meet community needs, initiates action for new programs and determines the ability of the city to provide financing for city operations. The council also reviews, modifies and approves the annual budget. Additionally, the council performs other miscellaneous duties, including appointments to various boards and commissions and responds to community groups and individual constituents.

Council meetings are at 7 p.m. the first and third Monday of each month. Council work sessions may be held as needed. Work sessions are informational only; no final decisions are made at these sessions. Special meetings may be called by the mayor, council member or city staff as needed. In addition to the meetings, you should allow time for other duties; such as out-of-town meetings and conversing with citizens. The council may spend several hours in meetings during the budget planning process.