Two elections will be held in Ames during the next two weeks, and some residents wonder why the elections were not combined. The elections can’t be held together, according to Iowa Code.

Iowa Code Section 39.2 states: “A special election shall not be held in conjunction with … a city runoff election.”

Voters can head to the polls Dec. 2 to choose the next at-large seat for Ames City Council.

The general city elections held on Nov. 4 left no candidate with a majority of the votes for the at-large seat, forcing a runoff election to be held between the two candidates with the most votes: Matthew Goodman and Mary Ann Lundy.

A special election will be held Dec. 9 to approve the bond issue to fund a proposed $23.6 million aquatics and recreation complex.

According to Iowa Code Section 39.2, “A special election shall not be held on the first, second, and third Tuesdays preceding and following the primary and general elections.”

Diane Voss, Ames City Clerk said 32 days’ advance notice needs to be given to the city in order to hold a special election.

“[Iowa Code] prohibits any special election being held with the runoff,” Voss said. “The runoff is out of our control.”

Story County Auditor Mary Mosiman said she has heard some complaints about the elections from residents.

“We’ve heard some comments wondering why [the elections] are not together,” Mosiman said. “Once [residents] understand it’s not legally possible, they’re OK with it.”

Mosiman said it costs the city of Ames thousands of dollars to hold an election.

“It’s still the cost of the election that bothers most people,” Mosiman said. “[It costs] a ballpark figure of about $10,000.”

Three election pollers are required to work at each of the 20 precincts for 13 hours on election days, and the city must pay their salaries, Mosiman said. The city must also provide ballots for voters — another expense.

Voss said there was nothing city officials could do about when the runoff election would be held.

The special election is being held in mid-December, Voss said, because many people leave town for Thanksgiving and Christmas. City officials want the largest spectrum of voters available to vote at election time, she said.