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Today’s newsletter is 946 words — a 3.5-minute read.

Pauline "Kay" Myers, 90, proudly cast her ballot alongside her son, Bruce. She died hours later, and now her vote won't count under Iowa law.

The big picture: Her story highlights a little-known Iowa law that can disqualify ballots legally cast by voters who die before Election Day.

Catch up quick: Myers, the former executive director of the Iowa Nurses Association, voted with her son Oct. 16, just two days after early voting began.

• The two then shared lunch at her assisted living facility and spent time together before Bruce left around 1pm.
• About three hours later, the facility called Bruce to report his mother had stopped breathing. She died five days before her 91st birthday.

The catch: Despite casting her ballot legally, Myers' vote won't count under an Iowa law that requires it to be rejected if election officials receive proof of a voter's death before opening the ballot envelope.

• Election officials regularly check state and federal death records, and published obituaries are sufficient proof, Iowa Secretary of State spokesperson Ashley Esquivel Hunt tells Axios.

Flashback: Myers was also the driving force behind Myers Park, a new Sherman Hill playground named in honor of her family's philanthropy, Bruce tells Axios.

State of play: Bruce supports sharing his mother's story, hoping it will inspire others.

Zoom out: Iowa is among 12 states that explicitly prohibit counting absentee ballots cast by voters who die before Election Day, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

What's next: Myers' ballot will be set aside and sent to a special precinct election board, along with evidence of her death, for formal rejection, Esquivel Hunt tells Axios.

The bottom line: "She was so proud to have voted that morning, and I guess if there is a hidden message in this horrible experience, it's 'Vote if it's the last thing you do,'" Bruce said.

A new documentary celebrating the 150th birthday of legendary Des Moines cartoonist and conservationist Jay N. "Ding" Darling premieres Wednesday.

Why it matters: The film introduces a new generation to an Iowa icon who helped transform wildlife conservation in America.

Flashback: Darling (1876–1962) won two Pulitzer Prizes as a Des Moines Register cartoonist, helped establish the National Wildlife Federation and created the first federal duck stamp.

Zoom in: "Finding America's Darling" explores his enduring influence through 16 years of research by filmmaker Samuel Koltinsky.

If you go: Free screenings are at 3 and 6:30pm Wednesday at Trinity Las Américas United Methodist Church, 1548 Eighth St.

• Seating is limited. RSVP by today at [email protected]

Friday

🎃 Beggars' Night | Dress up the kids and trick-or-treat along Ingersoll Avenue, where more than 40 local restaurants and businesses will hand out candy and treats. | 4:30–6:30pm | Ingersoll Avenue | Free!

🎹 Not Your Mummy's Halloween Concert | Dress in costume for a spooky evening of Halloween classics, pop favorites and surprises performed on the organ. | 6pm (dinner at 5pm) | Plymouth Church | Free!

Saturday

🐾 Howl-o-ween | Dress up your pup for a pet-friendly Halloween brunch and costume contest, with a chance to win a hotel staycation. A portion of cocktail sales benefits the Animal Rescue League. | 11am-1pm | Mulberry Street Tavern | RSVP

💀 Día de los Muertos Community Celebration | Honor loved ones with cultural performances, community altars, local artists, food, music, storytelling and family activities. | 11am–4pm | Carver Elementary | Free!

🛼 Des Moines Roller Derby | Celebrate Halloween with an action-packed doubleheader as the Hot Shermans, Waveland Wavers and Beast Village battle for hometown bragging rights. | 5–8pm | Paul R. Knapp Animal Learning Center | $15; kids 12 and under free!

🌿 Happy Hour at the BOOtanical Garden | Explore poisonous plants, bat pollination and carnivorous plants before watching a live feeding and taking home your own plant. Ages 21+ | 6–7pm | Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden | $40

Sunday

🎻 Des Moines Symphony: Beautiful Monsters | Celebrate Halloween weekend with music by John Williams, Mussorgsky, Liszt and Berlioz, including Symphonie fantastique. | 2:30pm | Des Moines Civic Center | Tickets: Prices vary

🎤 Showtunes Sunday | Sing along to Broadway favorites while supporting the Des Moines Gay Men's Chorus during its monthly beer bust fundraiser. | 2–6pm | The Blazing Saddle

Earlier this week, we asked you to vote on your favorite local Halloween costume ideas, and the results are here.

Zoom in: The iconic AE Dairy cows (aptly named Annie the Cow and Eric the Calf) were among your top favorites.

• Grant Wood's iconic "American Gothic" and a generic raccoon also garnered the top spots.

The bottom line: If you need an icebreaker, start quizzing people about their "American Gothic" interpretations.

• Is it satirical? Or an affectionate, but ironic homage to Midwest life? Maybe it's husband and wife or father and daughter?
• You're the life of the party. You're welcome.

🥸 Linh is excited to dress as the Culligan Man and get everyone some sweet, sweet RO water.

🌺 Jason is debating whether he's brave enough to wear the $2 coconut bra he bought at the Salvation Army and go as a hula man dancer.

This newsletter was edited by Chloe Gonzales.