CONTRIBUTED GRAPHIC A map shows the ward breakdown inside the city of Marshalltown. Voters in the 4th Ward, which roughly covers the southeast quadrant, will choose a new city councilor at the polls today.

The polls are open in the race to replace late 4th Ward Marshalltown City Councilor Al Hoop from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. In-person election day voting will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, located at 1600 S. Center St.

There are two candidates vying for the seat: Mark Eaton, a local engineer and businessman who owns Mark Eaton LLC and the CMC Doctor, and Melisa Fonseca, a REALTOR ® who runs her own brokerage, Alta Vista Real Estate. Their responses to candidate questionnaires outlining their positions can be found in previous editions of the T-R, and the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored a candidate forum that both hopefuls attended on the MCC campus last Tuesday.

Marshall County Auditor/Recorder Nan Benson said a total of 98 4th Ward residents voted early in the election, but one mailed absentee ballot still needs to be returned by today at 8 p.m.