(Spirit Lake)– A little known technicality in Iowa Code could throw a monkey wrench into the June Primary for Dickinson County Board of Supervisors.
Assistant County Attorney John Bjornstad tells KUOO news there’s a provision in Iowa’s election laws that says a candidate must receive atleast 35 percent of his or her respective party’s vote to win that party’s nomination. If none of the candidates in a given race receive that, the law states that an emergency convention must be called by the party involved. The delegates of the precinct involved would select a nominee, and Bjornstad says he’s learned from the Secretary of State that the nominee wouldn’t even have to be a candidate. He says code is “silent” to that issue.
There are atleast three races where the 35 percent provision could be a factor. Five people have filed so far for the Republican nomination in District four; in District two, three Republicans are running; and in District five where as of late this (Wed.) morning four people are seeking the Democratic nomination.
