Officials preparing for Washington special election

WASHINGTON — As community members gear up for a special election to fill the Ward 2 Washington City Council vacancy, county officials said they were ready to hear from candidates.

“Nomination papers are now available at the Washington City Hall and the Washington County Auditor’s Office,” a news release from the county auditor said. “The special election for this office will be held Feb. 14, 2023. The Nomination Petition filing deadline is January 20, 2023. The Petition must be accompanied by an Affidavit of Candidacy.”

The Auditor’s office said in another news release that absentee ballots for the special election would become available Jan. 25, and gave voters instructions for the voting method.

“Absentee Ballot Request forms for mailed out ballots can be mailed in or dropped off at the Auditor’s Office effective immediately,” the news release said. “Absentee voting may be done in person at the Washington County Auditor’s Office at the Courthouse in Washington, with the deadline being 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13. Auditor’s Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30 and Friday, Feb. 10.”

Ballot request forms are available at the auditor’s office or at the websites of Washington County and the Iowa Secretary of State. Officials said mail-in ballots had to arrive no later than 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14 to be counted, regardless of their postmarked date.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com