When fewer than 1 in 10 voters decide tax levies that last a decade, it’s time to rethink special elections.
The results are in: every public measure on September 9, 2025, ballot passed across the state. That is notable, but the real headline should be the persistently low voter turnout in these September special elections—and whether it’s time to eliminate them altogether.
September Elections and Results
On September 9, seven public measures appeared statewide. Three renewed the Physical Plant and Equipment Property Tax Levy (PPEL) for another ten years, while others asked whether districts could continue using the one-cent sales tax for school infrastructure (RPS) and whether the City of Swan should remain incorporated.
Turnout averaged just 17%. This figure, however, was heavily skewed by the City of Swan, where 80% of eligible residents voted on the unusual question of whether to dissolve their city. Excluding that outlier, average turnout across the rest of the state was a mere 6.68%.
Results of the September 9, 2025, Special Election
Why Voter Turnout Matters
Strong voter engagement is essential to a healthy democracy. It ensures accountability, promotes equitable policies, and gives citizens a say in decisions that directly affect their communities. When turnout is this low, a small fraction of the population ends up shaping policy for everyone.
Iowa lawmakers have long recognized this problem. In 2017, the legislature passed HF566 to move school board elections from September to November, leading to a 150% increase in turnout in the very first year. Similarly, in 2023 lawmakers required bond issues to be decided in November elections, with direct mail notification to voters. The results were dramatic: turnout in November 2023 averaged 34.1%, compared to just 29.7% in March’s special bond elections. By the following November, turnout reached 70.9%.
The Case for Reform
Despite these positive reforms, September special elections remain chronically low-turnout affairs. Last year, turnout averaged 12.8%; this year, 17%. That is still far below the engagement levels seen in November.
Timing is part of the problem. The lead-up to September election often overlaps with the Iowa State Fair and the start of the school year—times when citizens are distracted and less likely to pay attention to local ballot measures.
If September elections continue, reforms are necessary. Property tax measures such as PPEL, which directly affect household budgets, should at minimum carry the same voter notification requirements as bond issues. Without stronger engagement, decisions with long-term financial consequences are being made by very few voters.
Conclusion
If Iowa is serious about strengthening civic participation, lawmakers should consider eliminating September special elections or, at the very least, requiring direct notification for property tax questions. Advocates for smaller, more efficient government must not only educate the public on prudent fiscal policy but also ensure voters know when to cast their ballots.
Ultimately, democracy works best when people show up. Iowans deserve elections that are accessible, visible, and timed to encourage—not discourage—participation.
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