(Madison County, Iowa) — A petition has enough signatures to request a special election for the next Madison County auditor.
The Madison County Civic Alliance group filed the petition yesterday on behalf of community members. It came after claims that the county Board of Supervisors failed to properly notify the public about Matthew Schwarz’s appointment to the auditor’s seat earlier this month.
Madison County residents and local groups have since advocated for the right to petition for a special election. The petition filed yesterday now heads to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
According to a press release from the Madison County Civic Alliance, the group collected over 1,450 signatures in just ten days—well above the required 1,012—demonstrating strong public support for a special election.
Madison County Supervisors Chairwoman Heather Stancil is under investigation for allegations of misconduct. Heather Stancil is accused of making a Facebook comment stating that she would find ways to offset the costs of a special election at the expense of taxpayers. The comment was in response to a petition for a special election to elect the next county auditor. The case has now been referred to the Iowa Attorney General’s office for further review of potential election misconduct and voter intimidation.
