The Hartley Sentinel-The Everly/Royal News - Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties

Though competition is fleeting elsewhere, voters in Hartley will have some choices to make when they enter the voting booth next Tuesday.

The City With the Heart has the most interesting ballot. Five candidates – incumbents Ron Hengeveld, Brian Myers and Mary Westphalen, along with challengers Greg Cotter and Nick Galm – are vying for three spots on the city council. Incumbent Mayor Rodney Ahrenstorff is running uncontested.

Ballots in Everly and Royal are less exciting, with no contested races listed. The same is true for school board races at Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn and Clay Central/Everly. CC/E Director District 5 is open as incumbent Steve Kracht did not file to run for re-election, nor did any newcomers step forward.

Two write-in candidates are asking for residents' votes in Everly and at H-M-S. Former Everly City Council member Ron Thompson is running for mayor there, as incumbent Mayor Brad Behrens is not running for re-election and nobody filed to take his place. At H-M-S, Hartley resident Becky Stoltz is running for the District 2 seat. Incumbent Dave Vander Broek is not running for re-election and nobody filed papers to run.

The Sentinel-News reported last week that Glen Hammerstrom, of Hartley, was also running for the H-M-S Director District 2 seat; however, he decided to withdraw his name after the Oct. 21 edition had printed.

The Sentinel-News mailed questionnaires to each candidate in the Nov. 2 election, including all known write-in contenders. See the Q&A articles for each person's answers.

Where do I vote?

Only eligible voters residing in city limits or school district’s borders can vote in next Tuesday’s election. All polls open at 7 a.m. on Nov. 2 and close at 8 p.m.

The only offices up for election next week are mayor, council and school board. Mayors serve two-year terms while council members and school board members serve four-year terms.

Voting locations are as follows:

• Hartley: Hartley Community Center

• Everly: Hap Ketelsen Community Center

• Royal: Royal Community Building

Unregistered voters wishing to participate next week have ample opportunity to sign up. Same-day registration is available to all voting-eligible residents at their polling location.

Bring proof of residency and identity when you go to vote. The best form of ID is a valid Iowa driver’s license with your current address and photo. Documents like a lease, property tax statement, utility bill, pay stub, bank statement or government form can be used to verify your residency.

Registered voters need to show ID prior to voting on Election Day. Any voter who is physically unable to enter a polling place has the right to cast their ballot curbside. Contact your county auditor’s office with questions.