Early voting for the Nov. 4 city/school elections opens later this week on Oct. 15, and local election officials are reminding eligible voters to dot their i’s and cross their t’s before casting their ballots. Absentee voting has grown increasingly popular in recent elections, but Carroll County Deputy Auditor Emily Loew says it is essential that voters understand the requirements before visiting the office.
If an early voter does not have the required items with them when they go to cast their ballot, they can cast a provisional vote and bring the required documentation later to confirm eligibility. Alternatively, they can have another registered voter attest to your identity. The regulations surrounding mailed-in ballots have also changed recently in Iowa. Previously, ballots postmarked by Election Day could be counted; now, any mailed ballot not returned to the auditor’s office by the time the polls close is discarded. Loew says requested ballots will be mailed on Wednesday, and she recommends that those be mailed no later than Oct. 29 to ensure timely delivery. Otherwise, she suggests they be returned in person.
Election officials are also in the process of lining up Election Day poll workers. Loew says it is a paid position, and they are always looking for new people to add to their list.
In addition to the candidate races, several school funding questions will also appear on the November ballot, including physical plant and equipment (PPEL) levy renewals for East Sac County and South Central Calhoun, as well as a $19.8 million bond referendum for IKM-Manning. Some voters eligible to participate in those questions do reside in Carroll County, even though those school elections are controlled by another county. The Iowa Secretary of State’s website offers an easy-to-use polling location finder at sos.iowa.gov; a direct link to this resource is included below.
