The legal battle continues Thursday over 29 absentee ballots cast for Iowa House District 55

Posted: Wed, Dec 19, 2018 4:29 PM

Republican Michael Bergan and Democrat Kayla Koether are separated by only 9 votes without counting the 29 disputed ballots

The legal battle over absentee ballots cast in Winneshiek County for the Iowa House District 55 race will resume Thursday afternoon in Des Moines.

Polk County Judge Scott Beattie has scheduled a 1:30 p.m. hearing on motions in the case. Beattie previously ruled that the U.S. Postal Service should be consulted on whether those absentee ballots had been mailed before Election Day. Post Service officials said 29 of the 33 ballots had been mailed before the deadline.

But Judge Beattie has not yet ruled on whether the 29 disputed ballots should be added to the vote totals in Iowa House District 55. It's not known whether Thursday's hearing will discuss that main issue or several procedural questions in the case.

(decorahnews.com will have complete coverage of Thursday afternoon's court hearing. Check with us late Thursday afternoon)