(Current Muscatine Board of Education Members; Left to Right; Denny Schuur, Karen Cooney, Lindsey Phillips, Mike Morgan, John Dabeet, Matt Conard, Ken LaRue)

KEY DATES for 2021

• Aug. 23: Candidate filing begins.
• Sept. 16: Candidate filing deadline is 5 p.m.
• Sept. 17: Board secretaries deliver nomination papers to the controlling commissioner. Deadline is noon.
• Sept. 21: Candidate withdrawal deadline by 5 p.m. (last day for candidates to withdraw by filing a written request with the school secretary).
• Nov. 2: School election day. Polls are open from 7 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Nov. 8 or 9: Tier 1 canvass of votes for all school districts located in one county.
• Nov. 15: Organizational Meeting of the new Muscatine School’s Board of Directors at City Hall in Council Chambers at 6:30 p.m.

REQUIRED NOMINATION PAPERS

1. State of Iowa – Affidavit of Candidacy: Each candidate must complete and file an Affidavit of Candidacy. (See page 3 of the Candidate’s Guide to the School Election for details on how to complete this section.) 
   1. This form requires a notary. If you are unable to secure a notary, Muscatine School’s Board Secretary can notarize the affidavit for you. Identification will be required.
2. State of Iowa Nomination Petition for Non-Partisan Office: Fifty (50) signatures are required of Muscatine School District residents. 
   1. Be certain to read the requirements of this form on page 5 of the Candidate’s Guide to the School Election. Petitions that are turned in with inaccurate or incomplete information in the header of each petition will be disqualified by the board secretary.
   2. No writing is allowed on the back of the form.
   3.  It is highly recommended that candidates obtain more than 50 signatures to ensure eligibility requirements.

GUIDES AND USEFUL INFORMATION

• Iowa Secretary of State’s Candidate’s Guide to the School Election
• Iowa Association of School Board’s Candidate Guide and School Board Election FAQ
  

IOWA BOARD OF ETHICS AND CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE RESOURCES

Visit the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board for information on topics including:

• Political advertising disclaimers
• Permitted and prohibited corporate activity
• Independent expenditures/in-kind contributions
• Duties of a committee treasurer
• Civil penalties
• Out-of-state contributions
• Prohibition in use of public funds for political purposes
• Guidelines for campaign fundraising
  

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES and TESTIMONIALS

Mark your calendars for the upcoming webinar series from the Iowa Association of School Boards:

WEBINAR SERIES: TUESDAY TALKS WITH IASB

Join IASB for a free webinar series designed to provide valuable information new board candidates need! Learn more and register today!

• • Aug. 17: New Board Candidate Webinar—Overview/Candidate 101
  • Aug. 31: New Board Candidate Webinar—Legal and Ethical Campaigns
  • Sept. 21: New Board Candidate Webinar—Equity and Student Learning

Hear from board members across the state of Iowa: School Board Member Testimonials

QUESTIONS?

For questions regarding the upcoming election and guidance with forms, contact:

• Lisa Bunn, Muscatine School’s Board Secretary at 563-263-7223 or lisa.bunn@mcsdonline.org
• Muscatine County Auditor’s Office, 563-263-5821
• Elections Division of the Secretary of State’s Office at 1-888-SOS-VOTE or sos@sos.iowa.gov