Linn County voters hold key to Iowa Senate power

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Voters in Linn County’s 18th Senate District could be changing the balance of party power in Des Moines.

The special legislative election Tuesday pits Republican Cindy Golding against Democrat Liz Mathis.

A win by Golding would leave the state Senate evenly split between Republicans and Democrats. That would ease the GOP’s way toward action on a variety of issues. They include gay marriage, proposed cuts to business taxes, abortion restrictions and efforts to weaken Iowa’s collective bargaining system.

Linn County says the polls opened at 7 a.m. and will close at 9 p.m.

There are elections elsewhere in Iowa on Tuesday, including in Sioux City. Voters there will be choosing a new mayor and council members.