There's a serene scene at Davenport's Unitarian Church on Tuesday.
By 11:15, the six election officials were logging just 43 votes in a special school board election.
City-wide, voter turnout was a dismal 0.5%.
"It's disappointing because it is an important election," said Election Official Jeanita McNulty.
Davenport voters are choosing from seven candidates to fill an open seat.
Maria Dickmann stepped down from the school board after winning her city council race.
It was just the opposite two weeks ago at a raucous caucus.
Republicans and Democrats packed sites with record or near-record turnout.
While the caucus obviously attracts more attention, voters say that a school board election should also be important.
"It's kind of sad," said voter Gary Zaruba. "I feel like other people should come out and vote."
But as voters filed in, mostly one at a time, there's that feeling of disappointment and duty.
"Every election, I think, is important," said voter Diane Schreiner. "You should come out and vote."
After residents launched a petition drive, this special election will cost the cash-strapped school district about $10,000.
But the Scott County Auditor's office saved the district up to $30,000 by consolidating voting into eight poll centers.
"Poll centers are good if you're going to work," said Scott County Auditor Roxanna Moritz. "You drive by. You can stop in. It doesn't have to be in your precinct."
Still, by the time the poll centers close at 8 p.m., turnout will be lucky to reach just 2%
"I don't know why people don't feel that a school board election is important to them because that is where most of their tax dollars do go," Moritz said.
From a fiery caucus to a sparse school board vote, it's a tale of two elections in Davenport.