To vote in Iowa, you must be registered to vote. To qualify to vote, you must be a U.S. citizen and resident of Iowa at least 17 1/2 years old (and must be 18 years old by election day to vote.) People who have been judged mentally incompetent to vote by a court, are registered to vote in any other place, and/or are a convicted felon (without restoration of voting rights) are ineligible to vote in Iowa.
City elections for Mayor and City Council seats are held on odd numbered years. Candidates for these elected offices can find important information about running for office at the Iowa Secretary of State website.
Any resident of the City of Ottumwa, whether registered to vote or not, 18 years of age, who has not been convicted of a felony, unless pardoned by the governor, nor declared mentally incompetent, may seek public office.
Ottumwa's City Council positions are four-year terms. The Mayor's term of office is four years. Officials elected in the November regular city elections in odd numbered years take office in early January following the election.
The Ottumwa City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at City Hall. The Mayor and City Council also sit on the Board of Health which meets on an as-needed basis, and are members of the Ottumwa/Wapello County Solid Waste Commission, which meets the third Wednesday of the month.
From time to time, issues may be placed on the ballot for the people of Ottumwa to decide.
For more information on elections in Ottumwa, contact the City Clerk at 105 E. Third St., Ottumwa, IA 52501. The Clerk's office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
