Kim Reynolds, Chuck Grassley victors in Iowa Youth Straw Poll

MARION — Gov. Kim Reynolds and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley won in the Iowa Youth Straw Poll with more than 10,000 votes cast by K-12 students in Iowa.

In Natalie Shaffer’s fifth-grade social studies class at Boulder Peak Intermediate School, 3920 35th Ave. in Marion, students first learned about a citizen’s rights and responsibilities and the importance of voting.

They learned about political parties and were encouraged to talk to their families about what they believe and why.

The students then watched video messages, tailored to students, that the candidates submitted before making their decision and heading to the polls.

About 100 students at Boulder Peak Intermediate cast their ballot Tuesday at a makeshift ballot box and received an “I Voted” sticker.

Selah Calcara, 11, said it was cool to be able to make her voice heard, even if she won’t be eligible to vote for a few years.

“I always go with my mom when she votes,” Selah said, adding that she voted for candidates who spoke about women’s rights, equity and climate change.

Caleb McDowell, 11, said he voted for candidates who he felt were going to look out for him as a student. He enjoyed seeing the candidates’ personalities in the video messages, he said.

The thousands of Iowa students taking part in the straw poll were able to cast ballots in Iowa’s congressional and gubernatorial races.

Other Corridor schools participating were Jefferson High School, Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy, North Central Junior High, Weber Elementary, Trinity Lutheran School and Summit Schools.

“It’s important to engage our young people in civics at an early age, and this is a fun, hands-on way to do that,” Secretary of State Paul Pate said in a news release.

“Voting is not only a civic duty, but also the best way to make your voice heard,” he said. “My thanks to all the students who participated and to the teachers that helped organize events at their schools.”

Vote totals

Reynolds, a Republican, got the most votes in the governor’s race, 6,404, or 63 percent. Democrat Deidre DeJear had 2,855 votes and Libertarian Rich Stewart 910.

Grassley, a Republican, garnered 4,052 votes, or 40 percent, to Republican primary challenger Jim Carlin’s 2,345. Democratic challenger Abby Finkenauer won 1,952 votes, 19 percent of the total. Democrats Glenn Hurst has 1,002 votes and Michael Franken 808.

Iowa’s four congressional races were also polled, with Republican candidates favored in three of the four districts. Only U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne won more votes in the 3rd Congressional District, with 625 votes, with three Republican challengers splitting 1,500 votes.

In the 2nd Congressional District, Republican Ashley Hinson outpolled Democrat Liz Mathis, 1,840 to 828.

In the U.S. Senate race, a Polk County District Court judge is now deciding if Finkenauer has enough valid signatures to appear on the June 2022 primary ballot, but the youth straw poll ballots already had been printed, with Finkenauer’s name on them, before Finkenauer’s candidacy was challenged.

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