(Winterset, IA) Madison County has a new auditor after voters chose a challenger in a special election forced by a citizen petition.
In July, A petition had enough signatures to request a special election for the next Madison County auditor.
The Madison County Civic Alliance group filed the petition 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 in the month.
Madison County residents and local groups advocated for the right to petition for a special election. 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.
Meanwhile, Michele Brant was sworn in on Tuesday after winning the election with over two-thousand-200 votes. Her victory follows months of controversy surrounding former auditor Michelle Kaczinski, who resigned in July amid an investigation into her hiring practices. Brant is now the third person to hold the office since January.
