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Nov. 8 Midterm Elections 2022 Black Iowa Voter Guide
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Black Iowa Voter Guide
Here's what you need to vote
Here's what you need to vote
Here's what you need to vote
Check your status
Am I registered to vote in Iowa?
Who can vote?
U.S. citizens
Residents of Iowa
Persons 18 years old by Nov. 8
You can register to vote if you are at least 17 years old and will be 18 on or before Nov. 8.
How to vote
Go in person to your polling place on Nov. 8. Vote absentee by mail or by returning the absentee ballot in person to the election office.
Find your polling place
https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/search.aspx
Bring your ID
Bring one unexpired and valid form of identification from the following list:
- Iowa driver’s license
- Non-operator ID
- U.S. passport
- U.S. military ID or veteran ID
- Iowa voter identification card (signed)
- Tribal ID (signed and with photo)
If you don’t have one of these forms of ID, check the Iowa Secretary of State’s Voter Ready website for alternatives.
Learn more at voterready.iowa.gov.
View a sample ballot in Polk County, Iowa
Election Deadlines
Here's what you need to vote
Here's what you need to vote
- Are you registering and voting on Tuesday, Nov. 8? According to the Iowa Secretary of State, "At the polling place, you must prove both who you are and where you live. The best way to do this is with your valid Iowa driver’s license with your current address printed on it." Does your photo ID have the wrong address? Also bring proof of residency.
- Nov. 8 - General Election Day
- Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Absentee ballots must be received in your county auditor's office before 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Polk County Election Office
120 2nd Ave., Des Moines
"Vote for the Future" art by Jill Wells Art - used with permission from the artist.
Voting with a Felony
Here's what you need to vote
Voting with a Felony
Iowans who have felony convictions on their records must complete any prison, probation, parole or special sentence before they’re able to vote. Individuals who have been convicted of felony homicide are unable to vote unless their voting rights have been restored by the governor. Individuals who were convicted of felony homicide offenses must apply individually for restoration to the governor.
Check to see if your rights have been restored by answering a few survey questions at RestoreYourVote.iowa.gov. Click on "Can I vote?"
For example, if you have been convicted of a felony (but it’s not a homicide crime) and you have completed all terms of confinement, including parole, probation, or other supervised release for all felony convictions, you are eligible to vote. You can register to vote.
Candidates featured in the Black Iowa Voter Guide
Ako Abdul-Samad (D)
Dr. Mary Kathleen Figaro (D)
Ako Abdul-Samad (D)
House District 34
Ako Abdul-Samad
City of birth: Des Moines, Iowa
Occupation: CEO, Creative Visions Human Development Institute; Member of the Iowa House of Representatives - 8 terms, Senior Consultant to the Iowa Black Caucus; Member of the Iowa Legislative Black Caucus. Community activist, feeding the homeless and those in need, family/st
House District 34
Ako Abdul-Samad
City of birth: Des Moines, Iowa
Occupation: CEO, Creative Visions Human Development Institute; Member of the Iowa House of Representatives - 8 terms, Senior Consultant to the Iowa Black Caucus; Member of the Iowa Legislative Black Caucus. Community activist, feeding the homeless and those in need, family/street mediations, weekly podcast discussing a wide range of issues that affect the community, involvement in neighborhood associations. From Pain 2 Power workshops addressing pain, diversity and inclusion. Previous elected positions: Member Des Moines School Board, vice president.
Top 3 issues:
1, Quality education for all.
2. Human and Civil Rights for all: with a focus on African-Americans, people of color, elderly and women’s rights.
3. Public safety/safe communities and gun violence.
Deidre DeJear (D)
Dr. Mary Kathleen Figaro (D)
Ako Abdul-Samad (D)
Candidate for Iowa governor
Deidre DeJear
City of birth: Jackson, Mississippi
Family: Husband Marvin, two dogs, Macy and Maurice
Occupation: Small business owner
Top 3 issues:
Education: Iowa public schools should have an immediate infusion of $300 million from the budget surplus to begin to reset the gross underfunding of our education syst
Candidate for Iowa governor
Deidre DeJear
City of birth: Jackson, Mississippi
Family: Husband Marvin, two dogs, Macy and Maurice
Occupation: Small business owner
Top 3 issues:
Education: Iowa public schools should have an immediate infusion of $300 million from the budget surplus to begin to reset the gross underfunding of our education system over the last 12 years. We must fully fund our education system, ensure that funding is on pace with inflation every year, and use a minimum 4% Supplemental State Aid (SSA) to address achievement gaps, keep up with increased operational expenses, and address unpredictable enrollment numbers.
Reproductive Rights: There are infinite variables to pregnancy and restricting access to abortion/reproductive care is never the answer. The push for abortion restrictions in our state has set a dangerous precedent, which will only serve to further put Iowans in harm's way. Iowa is in desperate need of a leader who will keep politicians out of personal health care decisions of Iowans and expand access to care. Public funding in Iowa for family planning services is not adequate to meet the needs of our population. I will continue to stand with the people of Iowa by working to codify the right to abortion in the state and expanding reproductive healthcare throughout all of Iowa.
Mental Healthcare: Here in Iowa, we were supposed to have six mental healthcare access centers by July of 2021– we only have two; one in Linn County and one in Johnson County. Our state is 45th in the nation for mental healthcare worker availability and we have less than 600 mental health beds in a state with a population of more than three million people. There are simply not enough resources in our state to support the mental health of Iowans, and Kim Reynolds is just perpetuating the crisis. As governor, investing in our mental healthcare system will be a top priority for me.
Dr. Mary Kathleen Figaro (D)
Dr. Mary Kathleen Figaro (D)
Dr. Mary Kathleen Figaro (D)
Senate District 47
Dr. Mary Kathleen Figaro
City of birth: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Family: Husband Alan Rice, a daughter, Victoria, and son, Jonathan
Occupation: Endocrinologist.
Top 3 issues:
1. Outstanding schools. We were number one in the 90s. My goal is to get Iowa to be number one again. 2. Access to quality health care, including nonin
Senate District 47
Dr. Mary Kathleen Figaro
City of birth: Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Family: Husband Alan Rice, a daughter, Victoria, and son, Jonathan
Occupation: Endocrinologist.
Top 3 issues:
1. Outstanding schools. We were number one in the 90s. My goal is to get Iowa to be number one again. 2. Access to quality health care, including noninterference by insurance companies. 3. Lastly, our population has been steady for the last two - three decades. The places where growth is happening in Ankeny and the Quad Cities are places where those businesses are doing well. So, we'd like to make sure that we're business friendly, and that we balance the needs of employees who require competitive wages and employers who make our communities thrive.
I'm for people over politics. I believe Iowans need genuine representation. And as a physician when someone comes to my office, I listen. And I diagnose and then I come up with a treatment plan that's patient centered. And that's the same way as a senator, I’ll be sure to listen to the constituents before crafting solutions that meet their need.
ToyA Johnson (L)
Dr. Mary Kathleen Figaro (D)
Dr. Mary Kathleen Figaro (D)
Senate District 17
Toya Johnson
City of birth - Iowa City, Iowa
Family: Married with children, ages 10-32
Occupation: Consultant/mediator
Top 3 issues:
1. Economic Security: Introduce the concept of transactional property taxes. Work towards the elimination of the Income tax and other pocket-eating taxes and fees. Work towards legalization o
Senate District 17
Toya Johnson
City of birth - Iowa City, Iowa
Family: Married with children, ages 10-32
Occupation: Consultant/mediator
Top 3 issues:
1. Economic Security: Introduce the concept of transactional property taxes. Work towards the elimination of the Income tax and other pocket-eating taxes and fees. Work towards legalization of hemp and cannabis, including releases, expungements and re-entry resources.
2. Innovation in educational administration: It's time for us to innovate the administration of education by creating new sustainable educational pathways that increase opportunities to retain, maintain and attract Iowa's future educators, business owners, workforce and leaders.
3. Comprehensive Law Reforms: It’s time to address the issues that keep Iowa from being "nice" to everyone. When elected, I will work to implement legislation to address egregious imbalances in the administration and distribution of justice. Advocate for bodily autonomy, the right to protect yourself, property and loved ones and crime appropriate sentencing.
Izaah Knox (D)
Phyllis Thede (D)
Mary Madison (D)
Senate District 17
Izaah Knox
City of birth: Iowa City, Iowa
Family: Wife Jenna Knox; kids, Chance Knox, 20, Porter Knox, 10, Johnnie Knox, 5
Occupation: Executive Director of Urban Dreams
Top 3 issues:
1. Make sure that public funds go to public schools and that public schools are fully funded to sufficiently serve students, teachers, and st
Senate District 17
Izaah Knox
City of birth: Iowa City, Iowa
Family: Wife Jenna Knox; kids, Chance Knox, 20, Porter Knox, 10, Johnnie Knox, 5
Occupation: Executive Director of Urban Dreams
Top 3 issues:
1. Make sure that public funds go to public schools and that public schools are fully funded to sufficiently serve students, teachers, and staff. Funding free all-day PreK starting at three years old for every child in Iowa. Investing so that the trades are offered to all high school students, making community college debt-free and funding four-year institutions at a level that tuition stops rising. 2. Iowa continues to have access to safe and legal abortions. Iowans deserve the right to control their reproductive health care with their doctors and family. I will defend and protect access to affordable, high-quality sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion. I believe breaking the stigma is critical in our fight to protect Iowans’ reproductive freedom and right to control their bodies and futures. As a Planned Parenthood endorsed candidate, I trust Iowans to make healthcare decisions that are best for them and will do everything I can to protect that right. Virtually every Republican politician in Iowa wants to ban abortion entirely without exceptions, and I will do everything possible to prevent that from happening. 3. Gun violence is frightening and needs to be addressed. I believe in universal background checks to purchase and robust regular training to acquire a permit to carry. We can protect the rights of gun owners while still implementing common sense gun safety laws to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals and individuals.
Mary Madison (D)
Phyllis Thede (D)
Mary Madison (D)
House District 31
Mary Madison
City of birth: Beaufort, South Carolina
Family: Husband retired L. Keith Madison, (Radiologist), three adult children, and one granddaughter, Zoe
Occupation: Minister, St. Paul A.M.E. Church and school counselor/teacher
Top 3 issues:
1. My goals are to place people over politics.
2. I will be working to ensure
House District 31
Mary Madison
City of birth: Beaufort, South Carolina
Family: Husband retired L. Keith Madison, (Radiologist), three adult children, and one granddaughter, Zoe
Occupation: Minister, St. Paul A.M.E. Church and school counselor/teacher
Top 3 issues:
1. My goals are to place people over politics.
2. I will be working to ensure affordable housing, access to mental healthcare, and reproductive justice.
3. A strong vibrant fully funded public school. Public funds for public schools.
4. Supporting apprenticeships and creation of job training for a skilled workforce force. Incentives for growth and development of small businesses.
RJ Miller (I)
Phyllis Thede (D)
Phyllis Thede (D)
House District 34
RJ Miller
City of birth: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Occupation: Community outreach
Top 3 issues:
1. Education is the passport for the future because the future belongs to those who prepare for it today. Education is key to survival, be it learning how to manage money, knowing your human and civil rights or understanding your h
House District 34
RJ Miller
City of birth: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Occupation: Community outreach
Top 3 issues:
1. Education is the passport for the future because the future belongs to those who prepare for it today. Education is key to survival, be it learning how to manage money, knowing your human and civil rights or understanding your history and culture. Being educated on civics so you know political structure: the three branches of government and their role. Participation in your local government, such as city council and school board - things that directly affect your day-to-day life.
2. Mental health is very important, and the topic is very taboo to talk about. With the lack of mental health resources, it is very important to spread awareness of any available resources we have for mental health to ensure that underserved communities get the information as well as create new resources to help those who are on long waiting lists to receive the help they need. We need more access to therapists within our public schools as well.
3. Criminal justice transformation as we know the criminal justice system has not been just towards people of color and data has shown that people of color are often over sentenced or wrongly incarcerated. We need to reimagine a new system that is truly correctional and has real rehabilitation so individuals who are incarcerated have an opportunity to transition back into society so they can be productive to the society. It is unfair to have a person pay their debt to society in jail then continue to have them pay when they are released. It is hard for felons to get into certain jobs. They are often limited to fast food or warehouse jobs which is a disservice. Some can help be a reminder or a lesson to help young people go down a different path. Some have a difficult time finding housing, and probation and parole fees are outrageous.
Phyllis Thede (D)
Phyllis Thede (D)
Phyllis Thede (D)
House District 94
Phyllis Thede
City of birth: Chicago, Illinois
Family: I am married to Dave Thede and just celebrated 48 years of marriage. We have three daughters, Acacia, Robin, and Mackenzie. I have four wonderful grandchildren. Both Dave and I worked for the Davenport Community Schools for 30 years; Dave as a teacher, and myself a se
House District 94
Phyllis Thede
City of birth: Chicago, Illinois
Family: I am married to Dave Thede and just celebrated 48 years of marriage. We have three daughters, Acacia, Robin, and Mackenzie. I have four wonderful grandchildren. Both Dave and I worked for the Davenport Community Schools for 30 years; Dave as a teacher, and myself a secretary. Something else fun to know about me is that I am a twin (Identical) and I have 2 younger twin sisters (Fraternal) and another brother in between the girls.
Occupation: 7-term Iowa legislator; Iowa Legislative Black Caucus (vice chair)
Your top 3 issues:
1. Education. As a former secretary, I know that our public schools are critical to the success of our children and that we need to fund the fully.
2. Affordable childcare. Working parents shouldn’t have to break the bank to take care of their kids. We need to expand options of affordable childcare and preschool for families.
3. Iowa working families. There’s more we need to do to ensure economic security for Iowans in House District 94. I am committed to putting our working families first.
We need mare sure the workplace is safe and productive. We can do that by having strong unions in place.
Mary Wells
Shaimaa Aly
Shaimaa Aly
Polk County Treasurer
Mary Wells
City of birth: Des Moines, Iowa
Family: Husband and adult children
Occupation: Polk County Treasurer
Your top 3 issues:
1. The first issue is to increase citizen involvement in local government by helping them to understand local government and how it impacts their everyday lives.
2. The second issue is voter s
Polk County Treasurer
Mary Wells
City of birth: Des Moines, Iowa
Family: Husband and adult children
Occupation: Polk County Treasurer
Your top 3 issues:
1. The first issue is to increase citizen involvement in local government by helping them to understand local government and how it impacts their everyday lives.
2. The second issue is voter suppression; educating our community to check the voter registry to ensure they have not been removed as well as the new voter laws regarding absentee ballots, the times and location where they can cast their ballots will defeat efforts to negate our power as a community.
3. The third issue is enhancing the service experience for citizens at the Polk County Treasurer’s office.
Shaimaa Aly
Shaimaa Aly
Shaimaa Aly
Broadlawns Hospital Trustee
Shaimaa Aly
City of birth: Cairo, Egypt
Family: Mother of two boys (18 and 15) and a stepmom for a boy (16) and a girl (11).
Occupation: Senior execution manager
Why you're the best candidate for this position:
I am running to advocate for:
Mental health: Our youths' mental health is at risk, especially for our
Broadlawns Hospital Trustee
Shaimaa Aly
City of birth: Cairo, Egypt
Family: Mother of two boys (18 and 15) and a stepmom for a boy (16) and a girl (11).
Occupation: Senior execution manager
Why you're the best candidate for this position:
I am running to advocate for:
Mental health: Our youths' mental health is at risk, especially for our kids who were home schooled during the pandemic or those who witnessed a politically polarized society. Our public hospital should be ready to handle the increased needs in mental health and keep up with the current shortage.
Women's reproductive rights: I believe Broadlawns should use their lobby voice to allow doctors, along with their patients, to make the right decision for the mother. Growing up in the Middle East and witnessing women rights taken away, I feel like the U.S. is taking me back to the Middle East. This country is founded on separation of Church and State and our public medical hospitals should be allowed to make medical decisions away from any religious belief.
Health equity and accessibility: Advocating for our underserved communities, I will be working on mobilizing medical and dental care. I put together a proposal for two medical mobile busses to reach our marginalized communities.
Representation matters: The majority of Broadlawns patients are people who look like me whether their skin color or dress code or immigrants who speak English as a Second Language. It is my moral responsibility to step up and be their voice. I believe they should be engaged in the decision-making process especially if these decisions impact the healthcare services provided to them. In a nutshell, I am running to elevate and expand the level of medical services provided to our Polk County residents and engage with our community to better serve their healthcare needs.
Contact Us
Have a question about this guide?
Black Iowa News produced this guide to provide important voter information to Black Iowans and showcase Black candidates. Participating candidates completed questionnaires sent by email. Black Iowa News contacted Black legislative candidates regardless of party affiliation and candidates for Polk County hospital trustee. Black Iowa News is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates.
This guide will be mailed to 8,000 Des Moines residents and be available at select Des Moines businesses.
