March 28, 2024

Absentee ballots request forms available for general election

There are 119 days until the general election and as of Monday, voters in Iowa can request to vote absentee.

Voting by mail proved to be the most popular method for the June 2 primary, helping to set a record turnout. The total turnout for the June primary was just short of 39% of all registered voters. In 2018, approximately 17% of registered voters took part. This was due to voting by mail. More than a half-million Iowans voted and more than 400,000 did so absentee.

Due to concerns for the COVID-19 virus, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate sent absentee request forms out to every registered voter to ensure Iowans with concerns had the chance to vote. However, the state legislature passed a law during the shortened session, which Gov. Reynolds signed, restricting the secretary of state’s office from mailing ballots again.

Voters can request an absentee ballot one of four ways:

• In person between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Union County Auditor’s office, 300 N. Pine St. Masks are required.

• By calling the Union County Auditor at 641-782-1701. A ballot will be mailed out and will need to be returned by mail.

• Download the form at https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/electioninfo/absenteeinfo.html and return by mail.

• Download the form at https://unioncountyiowa.org/departments/auditor/

Absentee ballots are not sent out until Oct. 5 and must be postmarked by Nov. 2, the day before the general election Nov. 3.