At the time of this Zoom session, primaries were just days away and Election Day was fast approaching. The session was an opportunity for those attending to learn and ask questions around Iowa elections. Amy Powell described voter protections and rights in the State of Iowa, and Julie Persons discussed the nuts and bolts of Iowa voting and elections, including serving as a precinct election official. Iowa Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Jo Vetter was host.

AMY POWELL is the Director of the Iowa Coordinated Campaign’s Voter Protection Program. She is a staunch advocate for voting rights with over a decade of experience in Democratic Party Voter Protection efforts across multiple battleground states. In 2026 she is working to ensure that Iowa voters’ voices are heard and protected by building a statewide network of election observers and a robust voter education and assistance program. Amy grew up in Iowa City and graduated from the University of Iowa.

JULIE PERSONS is the current Johnson County Auditor elected in November 2024. She is state certified in elections and is currently working on her national elections certificate through CERA (Certified Elections Registration Administrator). Prior to being the County Auditor, she was the first female Mayor of Swisher, Iowa, and worked for over a decade in the retirement department at Transamerica in Cedar Rapids. She is originally from Davenport and moved to Johnson County over 25 years ago to attend the University of Iowa and has been in the county ever since graduation.