Who Will 'Win' the Iowa Senate District 22 Race Between Pat Ward and Desmund Adams?

The late State Sen. Pat Ward, who died last month after voting began, could still be a winner in her last election.

Ward passed away Oct. 15 after a three-year battle with breast cancer leaving voters asking what that means if she loses -- or wins.

The answer: The votes for Ward and Democratic challenger Desmund Adams will be counted and released along with other race results on Tuesday. But, no winner will be declared and the election is void.

The race for Senate District 22 -- covering Clive, Waukee, West Des Moines and Windsor Heights -- will instead begin again with a special election set for Dec. 11.

According to Iowa Code, Ward's name remained on the ballot along with Adams' -- in fact, early voting meant votes were already cast for Ward. You can still cast your vote -- and those will be counted -- but they will not be considered official numbers.

Instead, the Republican Party will hold a special nominating convention Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Republican Party of Iowa Headquarters, 621 E. Ninth St. in Des Moines. During that time, representatives from parts of Polk and Dallas County will receive nominations for a new GOP candidate to replace Ward.

The Republican Party has until 5 p.m. on Nov. 13 to submit a name to appear on the December special election ballot.

If you cast a vote for either Ward or Adams for the general election, you will need to vote again on Dec. 11 in order for your vote to be official.