What happens when a candidate has no opponent? Does your vote still matter? According to Iowa State Rep. Rob Johnson, D-District 34, the answer is a resounding yes.

Although Johnson is running unopposed in this election, he says the importance of casting a ballot extends far beyond a single race. He believes every voter plays a role in shaping the future of their community by supporting candidates throughout the ballot.

“Your one vote matters, it impacts policy, it impacts everything,” Johnson said.

He emphasized that elected officials are responsible for making decisions that affect billions of taxpayer dollars and the lives of Iowans across the state.

“The people that you elect are a part of a $10 billion dollar budget,” he said.

Despite facing no challenger, Johnson said fundraising remains a critical part of his campaign. Rather than focusing solely on his own race, he said campaign efforts are designed to encourage voter participation and strengthen turnout for other state and congressional candidates.

“We have to raise money for this campaign despite being unopposed because we still want the community to show up to vote for state and congressional candidates,” Johnson said.

State Rep. Megan Srinivas, the Democratic candidate for Iowa House District 30, said running unopposed comes with an added responsibility to support other candidates and encourage broader participation.

“When you have a candidate that is unopposed, responsibilities change. There is an added layer of responsibility,” Srinivas said. “Support other candidates with similar values to get other people and communities at the table.”

Low voter turnout, Johnson said, doesn’t just affect one race. When fewer people participate because they believe an uncontested election is already decided, it can negatively impact every other candidate appearing on the ballot. Competitive races for state and federal offices rely on strong turnout, and a lack of participation can change election outcomes while reducing community representation.

Johnson pointed to recent election cycles as evidence that voter outreach and fundraising make a measurable difference. 

“Last election cycle we raised $40,000,” he said.

He contrasted that effort with an earlier election cycle, when only about 5,000 voters participated in District 34. Following a more robust fundraising campaign, voter turnout more than doubled to approximately 11,000 residents in the next election, he said.

For Johnson, those numbers demonstrate that investing in voter engagement pays dividends beyond campaign finances. Increased outreach encourages more residents to participate in the democratic process, benefiting every candidate and ensuring more voices are represented at the ballot box.

While Johnson may not be defending his seat against an opponent this year, he says the election is still one of consequence. Every vote cast helps determine who will serve in offices across Iowa and in Congress, shaping policies that affect education, infrastructure, public safety, health care and the state’s financial future.

Johnson hopes voters will resist the temptation to stay home simply because one race lacks competition.

An uncontested race may appear settled, but the ballot is not. For Johnson, showing up to vote is about more than supporting a single candidate, it’s about strengthening democracy, encouraging civic engagement and helping decide the future of Iowa. 

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