Secretary of State Paul Pate is extending the absentee voting period to 40 days for Iowans who choose to vote by mail in the June primary. He is also encouraging Iowans to cast ballots by mail, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This change will allow voters more time to send their ballots and provide county auditors a longer window for processing.
“The safety of voters takes precedence, and by encouraging Iowans to vote absentee, we can reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19,” Pate said. “We still plan on having polls open on June 2 for voters who prefer to cast ballots in-person, but this effort will help reduce the risk of infecting others.”
Curbside voting, as always, is an option for Iowans with disabilities and those who might have difficulty entering a polling place. This option will also be available in the June primary to voters who are in the high-risk population for the coronavirus.
The absentee voting period for mailed ballots in the June primary will begin April 23. Iowans can request an absentee ballot from their county auditor now. For more information, visit VoterReady.Iowa.gov.
Jasper County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Dennis Parrott echos Pate’s statement and says Jasper County officials have the health and well-being of its citizens as a top priority.
"We are encouraging all Jasper County residents to exercise their right to request an Absentee Ballot for the upcoming June 2 Iowa Primary Election. Once the Auditor's Office receives a completed request form, we will process the request and begin mailing out ballots April 23. Voters won't need to leave their home to vote and the return postage for the voted ballot is paid for," Parrott said. "You may call the auditor's office at 641-792-7016 and ask for an Absentee Ballot Request Form. You can also find a printable form on the Jasper County website at co.jasper.ia.us The completed form needs to be mailed to Jasper County Auditor, P.O. Box 944, Newton, IA 50208."
Check the county website for up to date information regarding all Jasper County matters as the COVID-19 situation changes frequently.