Elections

Elections in the City of Newton are conducted by the Jasper County Auditor's Office. In this section, you can find various information related to city elections, such as the outcomes of past elections, details about primary and general elections, and any important information about special elections that may occur.

2023 City Election

City of Newton Mayor and City Council elections are held in November in odd-numbered years. The upcoming City election will be held on November 7, 2023. 

Important City Election Dates from the Jasper County Auditor's Office

  • August 29 - First day to accept absentee ballot requests for the regular City/School Election
  • October 18 - Absentee voting in the Auditor’s office begins
  • October 23 - Regular City/School Election voter pre-registration deadline & Regular City/School Election worry-free postmark date for voter registration forms 5 p.m. Deadline to request absentee ballot to be mailed for Regular City/School Election. 
  • November 6 - Last day to vote absentee in Auditor’s Office 
  • November 7 - Election Day. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. You MUST go to your polling location to vote on Election Day. All absentee ballots (except UOCAVA & Safe at Home) must be received by 8 p.m.

Interested in running for an elected office? 

Check out the Jasper County Auditor's Office Jasper County Elections website for more information on how to become a candidate. Visit the Iowa Secretary of State's website for general information including FAQs, nomination papers, filing deadlines, and other useful information.

Nomination papers must be filed with the county auditor during the filing period. They cannot be filed before or after the filing period. The filing period is Monday, August 28, 2023 through Thursday, September 21, 2023 – 5 p.m.  


ELECTION RESULTS

For residents:

Learn more about Newton's Local Government

The roles of mayor and council members may appear straightforward, but in reality, they involve complex and interesting responsibilities. Policy leaders take on various roles that require different skills and strategies. Communication and representation are crucial aspects of leadership in nearly all situations.

Newton's government consists of a mayor and six council members. Four council members represent specific wards, while two council members are elected at-large to represent the entire city. The mayor serves a two-year term, while council members serve four-year terms. All registered residents over 18 years old who live within the city limits can vote in the elections.

The city council serves as the official policy-making body, responsible for adopting ordinances, resolutions, and approving contracts for the city. They assess community needs, initiate new programs, and determine the city's financial capability to support its operations. The council also reviews, modifies, and approves the annual budget. Additionally, they appoint individuals to various boards and commissions and address concerns from community groups and constituents.

Regular council meetings take place on the first and third Monday of each month at 6 p.m. Work sessions may be held when necessary, but these sessions are only for information sharing, and no final decisions are made. Special meetings can be called if needed by the mayor, council members, or city staff. Apart from meetings, council members also dedicate time to other duties, such as attending out-of-town meetings and engaging with citizens. The budget planning process can involve several hours of meetings for the council.