March 28, 2024

Not too late to register and vote

Although the deadline has passed to register and request a mailed absentee ballot, Union County residents can still vote early and register at the polls

The deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail or preregister to vote passed Saturday.

What does that mean for Iowans who have not yet registered to vote or voted?

“They can still register to vote, they can come up here (to the courthouse), and still register and vote absentee,” Union County Auditor Sandy Hysell said.

Absentee ballots that have already been requested and/or received may be returned by mail. These must be postmarked by Nov. 2 and received by noon Nov. 9. They may also be returned to the courthouse, 300 N. Pine St., either at the auditor’s office or in the drop box in front of the courthouse. As of Monday morning, 3,083 Union County residents have requested an absentee ballot.

Voting in person at the courthouse is open during regular business hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The voting area is on the main floor near the driver’s license office. Follow the signs to the correct room.

Voters may register to vote as a part of the process. Those who are not preregistered should bring a piece of mail, for example a utility bill or paycheck in addition to their driver’s licence or ID card to verify their address.

Iowa also allows voters to register at the polling place on the day of the election.

Polls

Hysell said as of Monday, plans are still to have all of the Union County precinct polls open.

The polling places in Union County are: Afton — Afton Methodist Church, 111 S. Douglas St.; Arispe — Arispe United Methodist Church, 111 Division St.; Creston Ward 1 — Salem Lutheran Church, 1208 N. Sycamore St.; Creston Ward 2 — Southwestern Community College Performing Arts Center (at Southern Prairie Family Fitness Center), 1201 W. Townline St.; Creston Ward 3 — Trinity Lutheran Church, 800 N. Sumner Ave.; Creston Ward 4 — Supertel, 800 Laurel St.; Creston Ward 5 — Crest Baptist Church, 1211 N. Poplar St.; and Lorimor — Lorimor City Hall/Community Center, 503 Main St.

To determine which polling place to go to on election day, voters can check their voter’s registration card, visit the Union County website at unioncountyiowa.org and click on “election information” under the auditor’s office tab or call the auditor’s office.

Sample ballots are available on the Union County website for those wishing to see them in order to prepare for voting.

For more information call the Union County Auditor’s office at 641-782-1701.

“We hope everybody still gets out and votes,” Hysell said. “If you don’t want to go to the polls because of the possibility of lines, please come up and vote at the auditor’s office.”