Floyd County early voting begins Wednesday

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Floyd County residents who don’t want to wait until Nov. 7 to vote in this year’s city and school elections can cast their ballots starting Wednesday.

Under state law, in-person absentee voting can begin 20 days before Election Day, which means voters can cast ballots at their county courthouse beginning Oct. 18.

In Floyd County, voting can be done during regular business hours – 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – at the Auditor’s Office on the second floor of the courthouse. Voters are reminded to bring a valid ID to cast a ballot.

Absentee ballots will also begin to be mailed out on Wednesday to those who have requested them.

Absentee ballots can be requested by contacting the Auditor’s Office at 641-257-6131 or by mailing the form available on the Iowa Secretary of State website – sos.iowa.gov/elections.

Absentee ballot requests must be received in the Auditor’s Office by 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, to receive a ballot.

Monday, Nov. 6, is the last day to vote absentee in person at the Auditor’s Office.

Tuesday, Nov. 7, is election Day, and polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Absentee ballots must be received by 8 p.m. in the county auditor’s office, whether delivered by mail or in person.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are polls open for the general election?

A: Polls for all elections in Iowa are now open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Q: How many days before an election do I need to register to vote if I’m not registered or if I moved, and I want my name to be on the voter register at the polls?

A: Fifteen days. This is Monday, Oct. 23, for the Nov. 7, 2023, election.

Q: Can I still register to vote at the polls?

A: Yes. You will need proof of identity (which everyone needs to vote) AND proof of residence.

Q: Will the county auditor send absentee ballot request forms to all voters in the county?

A: No. State law now prohibits this. If you personally request an absentee ballot request form, your auditor will send you one.

Q: After I send in my absentee ballot request form, when will the county auditor mail me my ballot?

A: The auditor will start mailing absentee ballots 20 days before the election. For the Nov. 7, 2023, election, this is Wednesday, Oct. 18.

Q: When is the first day I can vote absentee in person at the Auditor’s Office?

A: Twenty days before the election. You should only vote at the office if you have not requested a ballot by mail. This is Wednesday, Oct. 18, for the Nov. 7, 2023, election.

Q: When is the last day that I can request an absentee ballot by mail?

A: The county auditor must receive your request form by 5 p.m. at least 15 days before the election. This is Monday, Oct. 23, for the Nov. 7 election.

Q: What is the deadline for getting my voted absentee ballot back to the county auditor?

A: Ballots must be received by the county auditor by the close of the polls, which is 8 p.m. on election day.

Q: Won’t my ballot be counted as long as it is postmarked before election day?

A: N0! The law changed, and your ballot must be in the possession of the county auditor by 8 p.m. on election day.

Q: When is the last day to vote an absentee ballot in person at the auditor’s office?

A: The day before the election. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (This didn’t change.) This is Monday, Nov. 6, for the Nov. 7, 2023, election.

Q: Can I return someone else’s absentee ballot, or can someone else return my absentee ballot?

A: The only people who may return a voter’s absentee ballot (referring to the ballot, not the ballot request form) are the voter, someone living in the voter’s household, an immediate family member, or, if the voter is blind or has another disability, a special delivery agent. Refer to the Absentee Voting Instructions that are included with the mailed ballot.