Candidates are set for area school, city elections
SHELBY COUNTY — Area candidates have filed their paperwork for the upcoming city and school board elections, according to the Shelby County Auditor’s Office. Voting for the Iowa City/School Election will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
HARLAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICTCurrent HCSD Board of Education members Jade Albertson and Jim Rieschl will not be running in November’s election.District 1: Alan Hazleton (unopposed)
District 2: Lori Stitz
District 3: Jennifer Anderson
District 4: Greg Bladt (incumbent, unopposed)
District 5: Pete Sorenson (appointed last year, now on the ballot)
IKM-MANNING SCHOOL BOARDSix candidates will be on the ballot to fill four positions.
Ward 1B: Amy Ferneding (incumbent, unopposed)
Ward 2B: Josh Linde (incumbent) vs. Grant Stacke
At-Large (two seats): Lucas Potthoff (incumbent), Jeremy Puck (incumbent), Nick Schechinger
CITY OF DEFIANCEMayor: James Goetz Jr. (Mary Jo Schaben, current mayor, not seeking re-election)City Council: Brian Arkfeld (incumbent). Gabe Baughman’s term ends in 2025; he is not running again.
CITY OF EARLINGAll incumbents will run unopposed:
Mayor: Janice A. Gaul
City Council: Jaclyn Frum, Troy Langenfeld, Joey Muenchrath
CITY OF ELK HORNThree candidates will compete for two council seats: Derick Hogberg (incumbent), Justin Larsen, Samuel Pries
CITY OF HARLANAll candidates will run unopposed:
Mayor: Jay Christensen
City Council: Sharon Kroger (Center Township), Kyle Lindberg (Ward1), Aaron Nippert (Ward 3)
CITY OF IRWINMayor: Richard Wiig (current council member; James Borcher, current mayor, not seeking re-election)City Council (five candidates for four seats): Greg Gaer (incumbent), Lana Schwies (incumbent), Bryce Bruck, Lee Ferry, Jessica Holloway
CITY OF PANAMAMayor: Larry Keane (unopposed)City Council (three open seats): Matt Schmitz (incumbent), Cindy Schwery (incumbent). Jeremy Kruse is not seeking re-election.
CITY OF PORTSMOUTHMayor: Eric Brooks (unopposed; seat currently held by Donnie Kenkel)City Council: Seats currently held by Tim Blum, Dustin Kleffman, and Jill Prososki will be on the ballot.
CITY OF SHELBYAll incumbents will run unopposed:
Mayor: Ron Kroll
City Council: Pat Honeywell, Jackie Hursey
CITY OF TENNANTMayor: No candidates filed (seat currently held by Jim Brantner) City Council: Todd Hively (incumbent), Dennis Oellerich (incumbent)
CITY OF WESTPHALIAMayor: Christopher VonAhsen (seeking re-election)City Council (four open seats): Brian Arkfeld (incumbent), Dan Ehlert (incumbent), Ed Goetzinger (incumbent), Julie Goetzinger (incumbent), Ross Petersen
INFORMATION ABOUT ABSENTEE BALLOTSVoters may request an absentee ballot. County auditors began accepting absentee ballot request forms on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.Request deadline: The county auditor must receive your completed absentee ballot request form by 5 p.m. on Monday, October 20, 2025. Post-marks do not count.
Mailing/In-person voting begins: Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at county auditor offices.In-person absentee voting deadline: Monday, November 3, 2025.Ballot return deadline: The county auditor must receive your completed ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Postmarks do not count.Voters may download a printable request form from the Iowa Secretary of State’s website or contact the county auditor to have one mailed.
On the form, you must provide:
·Full name
·Date of birth
·Iowa residential address
·Either your Iowa driver’s license number, non-operator ID number, or four-digit voter PIN from your Voter ID card Return the signed, original request form to the county auditor:
Shelby County Auditor
612 Court St.
Harlan, IA 51537
Forms may be delivered in person or mailed (must be received by the October 20 deadline).
Ballots must be received by the county auditor by 8 p.m. on November 4. Postmarks do not count. Voters may hand- deliver completed ballots to the county auditor’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day.Completed absentee ballots may not be delivered to regular polling places on Election Day.
