On the ballot November 5
SHELBY COUNTY — Area voters will have more decisions to make at the polls November 5. In addition to voting for local, state and federal officials, Iowa voters will be asked to approve or reject two constitutional ammendments, and Shelby County voters will be asked to support a $55 million bond referendum to fund expansions at Iowa Western Community College (IWCC) centers.
IWCC bond
Southwest Iowa voters will decide the fate of a bond referendum to enable construction of a Transportation and Logistics facility at IWCC in Council Bluffs and renovate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program facilities in Atlantic and Clarinda. The measure will also expand dual enrollment programs for high school students throughout the area, providing them with hands-on training in construction, welding, HVAC and more.
The dual enrollment program gives students a head start on their careers, while saving money on tuition and providing skills needed to enter the workface sooner. For this 2024-2025 school year, Harlan Community High School has 155 students taking advantage of concurrent enrollment. According to Jennifer Svendsen, HCHS High School Counselor, the majority of these students are juniors and seniors. HCHS has four students in IWCC’s Sports Media Program, 13 in the CNA program and nine in the Auto/Diesel Program. Harlan Community also offers almost 40 online courses through IWCC, and 19 courses taught in-house at HCHS for dual enrollment credit.
The referendum will not increase property tax rates, but will replace expiring bonds.
The new Transportation Building will be the sight of the Diesel and Automotive Technology programs, CDL training, and a new logistics program. The bond will also fund renovations at the Atlantic, Clarinda, and Council Bluffs campuses, modernizing training environments.
Amendments to Iowa Constitution
Two proposed changes to Iowa’s Constitution will also be on the ballot.
Both amendments have passed with a majority through the Iowa House of Representatives and the Iowa Senate.
“Constitutional Amendment 1” on the ballot would allow Iowan’s who are 17 years old to vote in primary elections if they will turn 18 by the general election. The amendment would also change the voting age in the constitution from 21 to 18. Both of these regulations are currently practiced throughout the state, but will be codified if the amendment passes.
The amendment would also change the wording in the constitution from “every citizen of the United States” can vote in state elections to “only a citizen of the United States” can vote if they meet the qualifications. Noncitizens are not allowed to vote in state or federal elections, but local governments can permit noncitizens to vote in local elections.
“Constitutional Amendment 2” on the ballot stipulates if the lieutenant governor assumes the governor’s role causing a vacancy in the lieutenant governor’s office, the lietenant governor position can be filled by someone appointed by the new governor. As of now, Iowa’s line of succession states the Iowa Senate President assumes the duties of lieutenant governor. This amendment only addresses a circumstance when the sitting governor leaves their position and it must be filled by the lieutenant governor.