ANDOVER, Iowa -
While some communities struggled to get a double-digit turnout at the polls on Tuesday, a Clinton County town is adding up some big numbers. Nearly half the eligible voters in Andover, Iowa, population 87, got out to vote.
Just hours after winnng the mayor's race in Andover, Glen Naeve was back to work at the town's grain bin. He was also keeping silent about plans as he returns to elected office.
"Glen, are you the new-old mayor or the old-new mayor?" questioned nearby church secretary Virginia Eggers. "And he just smiled. No comment, he says."
Andover bills itself as a friendly community. And residents really like to get out and vote. Some motivated by issues with a new water system. From the church to the post office, it's a way of life.
While Andover has only 61 registered voters, 30 made it to the polls on Tuesday. That's good for just over 49%.
"Because it's such a small, close community, everybody is strongly involved with everything," said outgoing council member Jill Whitehead.
A few miles away at the Clinton County Auditor's office, election officials wrap up another race. They're amazed by the tally in tiny Andover.
"They know the importance of participating in their community," said Clinton County Auditor Eric Van Lancker. "They know what it takes to keep their community viable."
That high turnout isn't the only thing. Andover basically worked with a blank ballot. Every candidate was a write-in on the ballot.
While this farming community is extremely busy with a late harvest, most managed to get out and vote. Some will even serve the city.
"I don't think that anybody really runs for any of the elections," said Andover native Al Behrens. "The write-in candidates, the ones that get the most votes, are the ones that get in."
While most politicians crave the spotlight, it's just another day at the grain bin for Naeve. Keeping quiet after high turnout served as a role model for much larger cities.
"That would be amazing if the little town of Andover could have an influence on bigger towns," City Clerk Paula Meyermann said. "That would be awesome."
Awesome, indeed, for Andover, Iowa.
Just hours after winnng the mayor's race in Andover, Glen Naeve was back to work at the town's grain bin. He was also keeping silent about plans as he returns to elected office.
"Glen, are you the new-old mayor or the old-new mayor?" questioned nearby church secretary Virginia Eggers. "And he just smiled. No comment, he says."
Andover bills itself as a friendly community. And residents really like to get out and vote. Some motivated by issues with a new water system. From the church to the post office, it's a way of life.
While Andover has only 61 registered voters, 30 made it to the polls on Tuesday. That's good for just over 49%.
"Because it's such a small, close community, everybody is strongly involved with everything," said outgoing council member Jill Whitehead.
A few miles away at the Clinton County Auditor's office, election officials wrap up another race. They're amazed by the tally in tiny Andover.
"They know the importance of participating in their community," said Clinton County Auditor Eric Van Lancker. "They know what it takes to keep their community viable."
That high turnout isn't the only thing. Andover basically worked with a blank ballot. Every candidate was a write-in on the ballot.
While this farming community is extremely busy with a late harvest, most managed to get out and vote. Some will even serve the city.
"I don't think that anybody really runs for any of the elections," said Andover native Al Behrens. "The write-in candidates, the ones that get the most votes, are the ones that get in."
While most politicians crave the spotlight, it's just another day at the grain bin for Naeve. Keeping quiet after high turnout served as a role model for much larger cities.
"That would be amazing if the little town of Andover could have an influence on bigger towns," City Clerk Paula Meyermann said. "That would be awesome."
Awesome, indeed, for Andover, Iowa.
