The Ankeny Brief
2026 is a big ballot in Ankeny: an open U.S. Senate seat, an open governor's race, all six statewide executive offices, your seats in the Iowa Legislature, and several Polk County offices. Here is the whole ballot, race by race, with the candidates listed in each and one plain line on what the office actually does. We take no side and endorse no one.
This is the certified ballot, checked October 13, 2026 against the Iowa Secretary of State's general election candidate list and every Ankeny precinct's official Polk County sample ballot. Ankeny is split across precincts and House districts, so your exact races depend on where you live. Names are listed alphabetically, not in any order of preference, and we endorse no one.
Ankeny's November 3, 2026 ballot has: an open U.S. Senate seat, the IA-03 U.S. House race, an open governor's race, five other statewide offices, your Iowa House seat and, for most of town, an Iowa Senate seat, three Polk County offices, nonpartisan county boards, judicial retention, and Constitutional Amendment 1. There is no county supervisor race in Ankeny this year. See how and when to vote.
Early voting: Oct 14 to Nov 2 · Election Day Tue Nov 3
Your precinct decides your Iowa House race (and whether you have a Senate race). The polling-place lookup shows your precinct; sample ballots are posted by precinct number.
All six of Iowa's statewide executive offices are on the 2026 ballot.
Ankeny is split among three Iowa House districts, and which one you're in depends on your precinct. Most of Ankeny also votes for Iowa Senate District 21, but southeast Ankeny (precincts 13 and 14) has no state Senate race this year. Your precinct number is on your voter card and your sample ballot.
Live in an area annexed into Ankeny recently, on the east or northeast edge? Some of that land may sit in a different district. Check your polling place and ballot with the lookup at the top of this page.
There is no county supervisor race on any Ankeny ballot. All of Ankeny is in Supervisor District 3, whose seat isn't up until 2028; Districts 1, 4 and 5 are on the ballot elsewhere in the county. Ankeny voters do choose the countywide offices below.
Nonpartisan races near the bottom of the ballot: County Hospital Trustee (vote for 2: Abu Bakarr Sillah, Emily Webb, Emily Westergaard); Soil & Water Conservation Commissioner (vote for 2: Deborah Neustadt, Kirk Norris, Autumn L. Ogden, Douglas R. Zehr); County Agricultural Extension Council (vote for 5: Dennis H. Goering, Angela Hilbert, Jennifer Quiner, Emma Runde, Cynthia Twedt) plus a vacancy seat (vote for 1: Harrison Furlow). Voters in the township portions of precincts 10 and 21 also see Crocker Township Clerk (Ryan Thrailkill).
Statewide Constitutional Amendment 1 would require a two-thirds vote of each chamber of the Legislature to raise income tax rates or create a new state income-type tax (local option taxes are excluded). It's on every Iowa ballot, usually on the back. A yes vote adds the requirement; a no vote leaves the constitution as it is.
Saydel schools bond (Public Measure S) appears only for Ankeny residents in the Saydel Community School District (part of precinct 21). It would allow up to $26.9 million in bonds for an addition and remodel at Cornell Elementary, remodeling at Woodside Middle School and the high school, and athletic facilities. There is no City of Ankeny or countywide question.
Judicial retention is a yes or no on keeping each judge, not a race between candidates. No Iowa Supreme Court justices are on the 2026 ballot. Every Polk County ballot lists:
The Ankeny Brief is a free weekly email on the town. We update this ballot guide as the field is certified, and we cover the local races nobody else does. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
An open U.S. Senate seat, the IA-03 U.S. House race, an open governor's race, five other statewide offices, your Iowa House seat (and for most of Ankeny an Iowa Senate seat), Polk County Attorney, Treasurer and Recorder, nonpartisan county boards, judicial retention, and Constitutional Amendment 1. There is no county supervisor race in Ankeny.
Early voting runs Oct. 14 to Nov. 2 at the Polk County Election Office, 2309 Euclid Ave, Des Moines (weekdays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., plus Saturdays Oct. 24 and 31). In Ankeny there are two satellite sites, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Heartland Church (1212 NW 36th St) on Monday Oct. 19, and Kirkendall Public Library (1250 SW District Dr) on Friday Oct. 23 and Saturday Oct. 24.
Zach Lahn (R) with running mate Derek Wulf, and Rob Sand (D) with running mate Dave Muhlbauer. The seat is open because Gov. Kim Reynolds is not running.
Ashley Hinson (R), Thomas Laehn (Libertarian) and Josh Turek (D). The seat is open because Sen. Joni Ernst is not seeking re-election.
For most of Ankeny, yes: Senate District 21, John Hollinrake (R) vs. Heather Matson (D). Southeast Ankeny (precincts 13 and 14) has no state Senate race this year.
A proposed amendment requiring a two-thirds vote of each chamber of the Iowa Legislature to raise income tax rates or create a new state income-type tax. Local option taxes are excluded. It is on every Iowa ballot.
No. Three Court of Appeals judges and local District 5C judges are on the retention ballot, but no Supreme Court justices.
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ankeny also approved a 1 percent local option sales tax on Sept. 8, 2026 (64.04% yes, official canvass).
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