Jerry Kloberdanz

If you haven’t already, prepare to vote. You have until Tuesday night.

After more than a year of campaigning and weeks of early voting, the 2024 election will conclude with the closing of the polls then.

Those polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Yes, the race between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump tops the ballot; it is an undeniable driving interest in this year’s election.

But voters in Hamilton County will see two contested races on the ballot of keen interest:

District 1 Hamilton County Supervisor Jerry Kloberdanz, a Democrat, is being challenged for re-election by Mary Clausen, his Republican opponent.

Incumbent District 28 state Sen. Dennis Guth, R-Klemme, is being challenged by Cynthia Paschen, a Democrat who lives in Jewell and Ames.

On the ballot also is a countywide question seeking to secure a tax levy that would help fund training and equipment for the county’s seven EMS providers, most of whom are volunteers.

The EMS request is for 30 cents per $1,000 of taxable property in the county, according to the Hamilton County EMS System Advisory Council, which earlier this year asked the Hamilton County Board of Supervisors to approve putting the measure on the November 5 ballot.

This is a 15-year request.

Hamilton County Auditor Kim Schaa has explained how it would be calculated.

“The EMS Levy will increase a Webster City taxpayer by 30 cents for every $1,000 in taxable value,” Schaa said.

“For example: A home with a taxable value of $100,000 at the current levy of $41.79866 per $1,000 of value would see the levy increase to $42.09866 per $1,000 of value.

“In tax dollars it would go from $4,180 to $4,210, an increase of $30.”

That is what a yes vote would approve.

On Webster City voters’ ballot is a question that would allow the City of Webster City to execute a legal agreement allowing the appointment of Black Hills Energy as supplier of natural gas to homes and businesses in Webster City.

A no answer would prohibit the City of Webster City from leasing the natural gas distribution system to any third-party operators. In that case, the only practical alternative would be for the city to operate the natural gas utility itself.

Although the City County of Webster City voted on the measure on October 21, agreeing to once again contract with Black Hills for long-term service, that vote is contingent on the voters’ approval.

In Hamilton County, there are several notable positions that will likely go to the unchallenged candidates.

Sheriff’s Deputy Alex Pruismann, who won the Republican primary earlier this year, is running unopposed for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s position. Current Sheriff Doug Timmons is retiring at the end of 2024.

Also unopposed is April Ely, a Republican, who is running to replace District 2 Hamilton County Supervisor Dan Campidilli, who is retiring at the end of 2024.

Hamilton County Auditor Kim Schaa is unopposed in her quest for re-election.

State Rep. Shannon Latham, the Republican from Franklin County whose District 55 encompasses Hamilton, Franklin and the southeast portion of Wright counties, is also running unopposed.

In the Fourth Congressional District, U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, a Republican, is seeking his third term. He is being challenged again by Democrat Ryan Melton, of Webster City. This is a rematch of their 2022 race.

For more detailed information regarding voting in Hamilton County, here is a link to the Hamilton County Auditor’s Office website:

https://www.hamiltoncounty.iowa.gov/residents/emergency_resources/index.php.