Early voting in Iowa starts this Wednesday, Oct 14.
If you don't need to vote by mail I strongly recommend voting early in person. You can do that in all 99 counties at the county auditor's office, and some counties will have satellite locations open:
www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/10/08/h...

New post: John Forbes makes his case for Heather Jones-Brown.
"Heather is rooted in the community she wants to serve. She’s also putting her commitment into practice. Heather will serve as a full-time supervisor, leaving her private-sector job to do it."
www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/10/11/a...

On "Iowa Down Ballot," Kathie Obradovich and I covered three debates, three ratings changes for Iowa’s U.S. House races, and two polls that paint different pictures of what’s coming in November. #IAGov #IASen #IA01 #IA02 #IA03
laurabelin.substack.com/p/iowa-down-...

New post by Randy Evans: The Iowa Public Information Board's recent action raises a question: When does a lawful delay in providing public records become an unlawful one?
#iagov #transparency
www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/10/10/w...

I'm still processing how I feel about all this. But for now, this will be my home base for writing as I figure out the next thing. Follow and subscribe. The plan for now is to keep posts un-paywalled until Election Night. Then time to pay.
thepoliticalspectrum.substack.com/p/eric-garci...

Notable findings from the receiver's inventory of Wulf's farm (scroll past the coverage of the special legislative session and a recent Iowa poll):
laurabelin.substack.com/p/special-se...

Trying to clear up confusion:
Here is the statewide statistical report for Iowa's 2022 election.
sos.iowa.gov/elections/pd...
Share of Iowans casting ballots: about 41.6% Rs, 34% Ds, 23.5% independents.
Turnout rate by partisan affiliation: 66.8% GOP turnout, 60% Dem turnout, 38% no-party turnout

Here is the statewide statistical report for Iowa's 2022 election. sos.iowa.gov/elections/pd...
That year, Dem turnout was poor (only about 60% compared to nearly 68% in 2018). Party had no statewide GOTV effort.

About 41.6% of Iowa ballots were cast by Rs, 34% Ds, and 23.5% independents.

Recalled 2024 presidential vote for Emerson's latest Iowa poll: 51.6% Trump, 41.6% Harris

Emerson's approval numbers for Trump are better than what we've seen in some other recent Iowa polls, but he's still underwater: 42.0% approve, 50.9% disapprove of the work he's doing. #IAGov #IASen

Another poll that weighted results to Iowa's registered voter file: 39.8% of respondents GOP, 31.2% Dem, 29% independent.

Even in 2022, when Iowa Dems had no statewide GOTV, an uncompetitive #IAGov race, and poor turnout, Dems made up 34% of voters. Should be higher this year w/strong field effort.

Last night a jury in Red Oak, Iowa acquitted Joey Norris of felony election misconduct. It's a travesty that he was ever charged, and the blame lies with AG Brenna Bird.
I will have more to say about this failed political prosecution
in a forthcoming post.
www.3newsnow.com/southwest-io...

New post: How to vote early in Iowa (2026 edition)

Please share with friends who may be confused about how to vote by mail, or early in person (which I recommend unless you are out of state).
www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/10/08/h...

Starting momentarily: the second and final #IA02 debate between Republican Joe Mitchell and Democrat Lindsay James.
Watch on Iowa PBS or by livestream:
www.iowapbs.org/shows/iowapr...
Libertarian Rick Stewart and independent Dave Bushaw will be on the ballot but were not invited to the debate.

There are only 4 Qs on this questionnaire.
www.fightcancer.org/voter-guides...
One of them includes this: "The HPV vaccine is cancer prevention. It prevents six types of cancer – including 90% of cervical cancers. Will you protect access to this cancer prevention method?" #IAGov