2023 Election explored – Decorah Nov. ballot detailed by ward

Decorah City ward map, which depicts the most recent updates to each ward after the 2021 redistricting and 2020 census.

The 2023 Decorah election for city council, school board, and parks and recreation is just around the corner.  Wards in the city were redistricted just after the 2021 election, and the new ward map is depicted here.  City Council will be seeking new ward representatives for Wards 1 and 4 as well as filling an At Large opening.  Candidates for city council include Jody Meyer and Brent Parker for Ward 1 representative, Steve Zittergruen for Ward 4 representative, and Emily Neal for At Large.  

Zittergruen, who was elected in 2021 to represent Ward 5, now falls into Ward 4 due to the map redistricting. Ward 4 representative Steve Luse’s term is ending and he will not be seeking re-election, but due to city rules, when two or more council members reside in the same ward, that ward automatically has to go on the next election’s ballot. Hence, Zittergruen is on the ballot for Ward 4 representative.

Kirk Johnson, one of two current At Large representatives, is completing his four-year term and is not seeking re-election.

Neal was elected in 2019 as Ward 2 rep but fell into Ward 1 after the map redistricting.  With her four-year term ending, Neal is seeking reelection for city council, but now hopes to fill the seat now open after Johnson’s departure.  Randy Schissel was elected in 2021 to represent Ward 1, but after the map redistricting, he fell into Ward 5.  Because he has two years remaining in his term, Schissel will continue to serve on the council as Ward 5 representative.  Ward 2 has no candidate on the ballot, and no current representative.  Ward 3 representative Kirsten Olson will serve two more years, as will Ross Hadley, the second At-Large representative on the council. 

The 2023 Regular City and School Election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 7, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee voting by mail begins Wednesday, Oct. 18 through Monday, Oct. 23. Absentee voting in the Winneshiek County Auditor’s Office, open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Courthouse, Decorah, begins Oct. 18 through Nov. 6.

Watch for candidate profiles in the Public Opinion’s upcoming election guide.

Submit A Comment

Fill out the form to submit a comment. All comments require approval by our staff before it is displayed on the website.

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comment
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments