DES MOINES – Iowans who want to participate in early voting can begin casting ballots for the 2023 City-School Election on Wednesday, October 18. This marks the start of the absentee voting period and the first day Iowans can vote in person at their county election office. October 18 is also the first day County Auditors can mail absentee ballots to voters who requested them.
More than 5,500 Iowans have requested an absentee ballot so far. The deadline to request one to be mailed is 5:00 p.m. CT on Monday, October 23.
“We want to see every Iowan participate in the upcoming City-School Election, and the best way to be successful in voting is to have a plan for how you want to vote,” said Secretary Pate. “Iowans have several secure ways to vote, including early and in-person at their county auditor’s office. Iowans should make a plan early and take the necessary steps to ensure their voice is heard this November.”
Iowans can vote in person at their county auditor’s office beginning Wednesday, October 18. Iowans can also vote absentee by mail or in person at the polls on Election Day.
Absentee ballot request forms are available at VoterReady.Iowa.gov. You can also track the status of your request and ballot at that site. County auditors must receive your absentee ballot by 8 p.m. on Election Day, which is Tuesday, November 7.
October 23 is deadline to request absentee ballots
DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is reminding eligible Iowans who would like to receive their ballot via mail to request their absentee ballots before the October 23 deadline. Written applications for mailed absentee ballots must be received by a voter’s local County Auditor’s Office no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 23.
All registered voters are eligible to make written requests for absentee ballots. In order to receive an absentee ballot, registered voters must provide the following information on the request form:
Name
Date of birth
Iowa residential address
Voter Verification Number (ID number)
Iowa Driver’s License or Non-Operator ID Number OR
Four-digit Voter PIN found on voter’s Iowa Voter ID Card. Any voter can request an Iowa Voter ID Card by contacting their County Auditor’s Office.
Name or date of the election for which a voter is requesting the absentee ballot
Signature and date the form was completed
All voters are also encouraged to provide a phone number and email address in the event their County Auditor needs to confirm any information on the request form.
“City and school elected officials play a critical role in our day-to-day lives, so it’s vitally important for Iowans to make their voices heard in November’s elections,” said Secretary Pate. “The best way to make your voice heard is to vote, and to be successful in voting, Iowans should solidify their voting plans early. Whether voting at the polls on Election Day or casting a ballot early by absentee ballot in person or through the mail, Iowans can be assured their voice is heard.”
Absentee ballot request forms are available for download directly from the Iowa Secretary of State website, VoterReady.Iowa.gov. Requests to receive a ballot by mail must be received by the County Auditor’s office by Monday, October 23, no later than 5:00 p.m. In-person absentee voting at the County Auditor’s office is available through November 6, the day before the election.
