18 Sep 2013

Absentee Ballots Now Available; Vote By Mail or In-Person at Auditor's Office.

By Rick Martin
DAVENPORT - Scott County Auditor Roxanna Moritz announced today that absentee ballots are now available for the October 8, 2013 Davenport Municipal Primary Election.  Absentee ballots can be voted in the Auditor's Office, or voters may request ballots be mailed to them. A fill-able Official Absentee Ballot Request form is available at the Auditor's webpage http://www.scottcountyiowa.com/auditor/.  Voters can also call the Auditor's Office at 326-8631 and request that a form be mailed to them.  Once the form is completely filled out voters need to sign the form and return it to the Auditor's Office, 600 West 4th Street, Davenport, Iowa 52801.  

Ballots are mailed within 24 hours of receipt of the request.  

The October 8th election will feature five candidates vying for Alderman-at-Large throughout Davenport and three candidates for Third Ward Alderman.  The four candidates receiving the most votes for Alderman-at-Large, and  the two candidates receiving the most votes for Third Ward Alderman will advance to the November 5th Municipal Election.  

For more information contact the Scott County Auditor's Office at 563-326-8631.
18 Sep 2013

Olson for Governor Lands Endorsement of RWDSU Local 110

By Alex Youn

Cedar Rapids - Today, RWDSU Local 110 announced the endorsement of Tyler Olson as their choice for the next governor of Iowa.

Al Hartl, President, RWDSU Local 110 said "Tyler Olson is the leader we need in the Governor's office. He has the vision, experience and energy to chart a strong future for Iowans. The economy is rapidly changing and Tyler is the only candidate with the new ideas to keep up and build a better Iowa for workers and families."
Olson - a State Representative, businessman and Cedar Rapids native - has been a stalwart supporter of middle class Iowans in his 8 years at the State House. He has worked hard to bring a new perspective to job creation focusing more on growing Iowa's small businesses and startups while also fighting for early childhood education and access to affordable healthcare.
The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) Local 110 in Cedar Rapids is one of the largest locals in the Cedar Rapids area.
18 Sep 2013

Simon celebrates role of women in politics at League of Women Voters of Illinois State of the State event

By Ted Nelson

CHICAGO - September 17, 2013. Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon on Tuesday joined a panel of elected officials including Attorney General Lisa Madigan, Senate Republican Leader Christine Radogno and State Representative Patricia Bellock in a spirited panel discussion celebrating the role of women in politics. The dialogue was part of the League of Women Voters of Illinois' (LWVIL)State of the State event at the Union League Club of Chicago.

"I am honored to participate in this panel," said Simon.  "Over the last 100 years, women have gone from not being able to vote to holding some of the most important positions in the state. We have made tremendous progress and yet we still have more to do to build a better state for our daughters."

In an effort to commemorate the dedicated work of the courageous Illinoisans who worked to grant women the right to vote in Presidential elections over 100 years ago, the LWVIL hosted  a luncheon featuring a prominent panel of four female elected officials, including Simon, moderated by Chicago Tribunecolumnist Mary Schmich.  Proceeds from the State of the State benefit the organization's education fund and its mission of promoting civic education and voter service.

Due to the hard work and efforts of the Illinois Equal Suffrage Associationand many others, Illinois became the first state east of the Mississippi River to grant women the right to vote in Presidential elections with the signing of the Presidential and Municipal Suffrage Act on June 26, 1913. Seven years later the women's suffrage movement culminated with the ratification of the 19thAmendment to prohibit any United States citizen from being denied the right to vote on the basis of sex.   

 

"From Lottie Holman O'Neill being elected to the statehouse two years after the ratification of the 19th amendment to Dawn Clark Netsch being the first woman to win statewide office, Illinois has a history to be proud of," said Simon. "Now it's up to us to keep improving that record."

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16 Sep 2013

Statement from Tyler Olson on Senator Hatch's Announcement

By Rick Martin
Cedar Rapids - State Representative Tyler Olson, Democratic candidate for Governor issued the following statement regarding Senator Jack Hatch's announcement that he will seek the office of Iowa Governor.
STATEMENT FROM REPRESENTATIVE TYLER OLSON:
"I want to thank Senator Hatch for his over two decades of service in the Iowa Legislature. I look forward to a spirited debate about my vision to put Iowa on a path to the next thirty years of innovation and expansion."
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13 Sep 2013

Braley Announces Gabby Giffords & Mark Kelly to Headline 9th Annual Bruce, Blues & BBQ Event

By Rick Martin
Former Congresswoman and astronaut to keynote Braley's 9th annual grassroots fundraising event
DES MOINES, IA - Rep. Bruce Braley announced today that former US Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly will headline his 9th annual "Bruce, Blues, and BBQ" Iowa grassroots fundraising event on Sunday, October 27, 2013. Braley is running for the US Senate seat currently held by Sen. Tom Harkin, who announced in January he was retiring at the end of his current term.

"I could not be more excited to have my friends Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly come to Iowa for Bruce, Blues, and BBQ," Braley said. "Gabby and Mark have made it their life's mission to bring people together and find common sense solutions that solve some of the tough problems facing our country. I work hard every day to live by their example, and I hope to bring that same spirit to the US Senate."

Giffords has become known across the country for her resilience in the face of violence, and for her consensus building leadership in Congress.  Giffords was shot in the head at point blank range at a Congress on Your Corner event in Tucson on January 8, 2011. Giffords represented the 8th Congressional District of Arizona in the US House from 2007 until 2012.
Kelly is a retired astronaut and US Navy Captain. As a Naval Aviator, Kelly flew combat missions during the Gulf War. He was then assigned to Attack Squadron 115 (VA-115) in Atsugi, Japan, and made two deployments to the Persian Gulf on the aircraft carrier USS Midway, flying 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm.
In January 2013, Giffords and Kelly formed Americans for Responsible Solutions to encourage elected officials to stand up for solutions to prevent gun violence and protect responsible gun ownership. The organization recognizes that the rights of Americans to own guns for collection, recreation, and protection must be defended, and commonsense protections from gun violence can prevent shootings from shattering communities.

Bruce, Blues, and BBQ is Braley's annual grassroots fundraising event, held every fall since 2005. For the first time this year, the event will be held in Des Moines. Past keynote speakers include : Minnesota US Sen. Amy Klobuchar; then-US Sen. Barack Obama; then-US Sen. Hillary Clinton; and DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz. 

The event will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2013, from 1:00pm - 3:00pm at the 4-H Exhibits Building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines.

Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.brucebraley.com or by calling (515) 244-1270. Tickets will also be available at the door. Cost is $30 for individuals, $50 for couples, $75 for families, and $15 for students.
Sunday, October 27, 2013

1:30pm
   Bruce, Blues, & BBQ
Featuring Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly
Iowa State Fairgrounds
Bruce L. Rastetter 4-H Exhibits Building
3000 E. Grand Ave.
Des Moines, Iowa
# # #
13 Sep 2013

Olson for Governor Campaign Announces 29 Legislator Endorsements

By Alex Youn
Cedar Rapids - Showing continued momentum in his campaign for Governor, Tyler Olson today announced the support and endorsement of 29 state legislators.
"I am proud to have such overwhelming support from colleagues in the legislature," said Rep. Tyler Olson. "Together we will build a strong campaign organization all across the state that will bring my vision to begin the next thirty years to Iowa voters."
"Tyler has been a champion of working families across Iowa and has the experience and vision to make Iowa a better place for the next generation," said Rep. Chris Hall.
"Tyler's experience in business gives him the background to lead our state's economic development efforts. We need to stop focusing solely on attracting the big fish, we need a greater emphasis on innovation, Tyler understands that," said Rep. Scott Ourth.
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06 Sep 2013

Olson for Governor Campaign Announces Alex Youn as Campaign Manager

By Norm Sterzenbach
Cedar Rapids - Building on his organization's strength, gubernatorial candidate Rep. Tyler Olson has hired Alex Youn as his Campaign Manager. Youn, who most recently served as the executive director for the Ohio House Democratic Caucus, will be tasked with overseeing and guiding Olson's growing campaign to unseat Governor Terry Branstad.
"I'm thrilled to have someone with Alex's talent and experience leading my team," said Rep. Tyler Olson. "It's time for a fresh approach to leadership in Iowa. I look forward to continuing to talk to voters throughout the state about my vision to begin Iowa's next thirty years."
Youn is making a return to the Hawkeye state, having previously worked for the John Edwards for President campaign during the 2008 Caucuses. Prior to his work with the Ohio House, Youn managed two congressional races, including Congressman Brad Ellsworth's successful 1st term reelect in Indiana's 8th Congressional district in 2008. Congressman Ellsworth was reelected with 65% of the vote in a district that John McCain carried with 52% of the vote.
"I'm extremely excited to be returning back to Iowa to help Tyler in his campaign for Governor," said Youn. "Tyler's unique mix of experience and energy makes him the ideal candidate to lead Iowa into the next 30 years."
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03 Sep 2013

Statement from Tyler Olson on Governor Branstad's "Connect Every Iowan" Initiative

By Rick Martin
Cedar Rapids - State Representative Tyler Olson, Democratic candidate for Governor issued the following statement regarding Governor Branstad's "Connect Every Iowan" initiative.
STATEMENT FROM REPRESENTATIVE TYLER OLSON:
"I have been saying for months that Iowa must become a leader on broadband. And while I am glad to welcome Governor Branstad to the discussion, it is disappointing that it took a serious re-election threat to get him to pay attention to this critical issue for Iowa's future."
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03 Sep 2013

Braley to Talk College Affordability at University of Iowa

By Jeff Link
Hosting "Meet and Greet" event with University of Iowa students this afternoon
DES MOINES, IA - Today, Tuesday, September 3, Braley will travel to the University of Iowa in Iowa City to host a "Meet and Greet" with University of Iowa students and discuss college affordability. This event is open to credentialed media.
TOMORROW, Tuesday, September 3, 2013

3:30pm
College Affordability "Meet and Greet"
Iowa Memorial Union
Illinois Room (Room 348)
Iowa City, Iowa
# # #
03 Sep 2013

Auditor Urges Voters to Check Registration Cards for Correct Voting Locations. September 10th Election to be First School Election Since 2012 Redistricting.

By Roland Caldwell

DAVENPORT- Scott County Auditor Roxanna Moritz is reminding those interested in voting in the upcoming school elections that they should check their voter registration cards to ensure they go to the correct voting location.   "Some polling locations are different for school elections than they are for general elections," Moritz said.  "The best way for voters to ensure they go to the correct location is to check their voter registration cards.  Each card lists the polling place for general elections and school elections, and city elections for residents of cities."

September 10th will mark the first school election since statewide redistricting in 2012.  Due to redistricting many voters were placed in new precincts with new voting locations.  Also, school district boundaries cross over other political boundaries and create pockets of voters who have to vote in locations other than their general election precincts.  "Parts of Davenport fall into the Bettendorf or North Scott School Districts and voters in those areas vote in different locations than they would in general or city elections," Moritz said.  "There are other areas where this occurs, such as the Pleasant Valley School District which elects school board members based on director districts rather than at large.  The Pleasant Valley School Board redrew their director districts this year which is yet another complicating factor," Moritz said.

What if a voter does not have a registration card?  "Voters who do not have their registration cards in their possession can call our office to find their voting location and we will also mail out a new card to those voters," Moritz said.

There will be three positions up for election for the Bettendorf School Board, the Davenport School Board and the North Scott School Board.  The Pleasant Valley School Board will have positions for director districts one, two, three, six and seven on the ballot.  The Eastern Iowa Community College District will have positions for director districts one, two, six and eight on the ballots in Scott County. 

The Bettendorf School District ballot will include a public measure to approve the physical plant and equipment property tax levy.  The Davenport School District ballot will include a public measure to update the District's revenue purpose statement for use of the District's portion of the state sales tax dedicated to schools. 

For more information contact the Scott County Auditor's Office at 563-326-8631.

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