They had just two weeks to gather 9,300 signatures to force a special election for county auditor, but ended up by Tuesday's deadline with only 6,200.
County Chair Elesha Gayman says their previous record was just 3,500, when the law allowed much more time.
"We had well over a couple hundred volunteers out collecting petitions, we had local businesses on board where people could drop off and sign petitions, parking lots that were just drive-up locations for folks. Really, to see the community this organized this quickly was just astounding."
Gayman says the Scott County Board appointed former Davenport alderman Kerri Tompkins to be the auditor with no chance for public comment or for anyone else to apply.
"Honestly I've not had the opportunity, as has the public, to even question her or ask her concerns. So I have no idea where she stands on the laws, what her philosophy is, and where my concerns are with access to voting sites and satellite voting locations."
Previously, petition drives like this one had four to six weeks to collect signatures, but that was changed this spring by the Republican-led Iowa legislature to just 14 days.
