For the past four election cycles, voter turnout has generally increased in the City of Pella — and with four contested races for the city council and mayor on Tuesday’s ballot, the trend could continue.

According to voter data from the Marion County Auditor’s Office, last year’s LOSST vote had 27.76% of registered voters in Pella participate, or 2,182 of 7,860. In the past three elections, the following number of voters participated in City of Pella elections:

2021 – 2,763 (based on At-Large race – 35.9% turnout out of 7,694 eligible voters)
2019 – 2,298 (based on Mayor race)
2017 – 1,316 (based on At-Large race)

The 2021 election also featured a bond issue and two contested races for the Pella School Board. This year, one board seat is challenged, with incumbent Tim Tripp running for re-election against Travis Thompson. City and school elections were combined by the Iowa Legislature prior to the 2019 election cycle.

Voter turnout in Pella elections were generally lower in the previous cycles, largely due to less contested races overall:
2015 – 724 (based on At-Large race)
2013 – 282 (no contested races, estimated 3.7% turnout)
2011 – 1,398 (based on Mayor race, estimated 20.4% turnout)

Find details about Tuesday’s election here and voting locations here (including ward-by-ward maps).