A message from our Political Registrar:
Hello Brothers and Sisters, as you probably are aware, the election is almost upon us. Election day is November 5th this year if you are planning on voting in person. If you are a new voter and do not know where to vote, you can find this information on the Secretary of State’s website: sos.iowa.gov. This is basically a one-stop shop for voting and voter information.
The first step is to get registered to vote. This can also be done electronically at the Secretary of State website. You will need an Iowa driver's license, or Iowa ID to register online. You can also download the form and mail it in. If you have moved since you last voted, you must register at your new address.
A few key dates to remember are:
Wednesday, October 16th - the first day, Absentee Ballots will be mailed to those who have requested a ballot by mail.
Wednesday, October 16th - the first day you can vote early in person at your County Auditor’s Office.
Monday, October 21st - the worry-free postmark deadline for mail-in voter registration.
Monday, October 21st - Voter preregistration deadline and deadline to request an absentee ballot by mail. The election office is open until 5PM for voter registration and Absentee Voting. Voters may use Election Day procedures to vote after the pre-registration deadline.
Saturday, October 26th - the election office is open until 5 PM for early voting in-person.
Monday, November 4th - 5PM is the latest time that you can vote early in person.
Tuesday, November 5th - Election Day. Polls open at 7AM and close at 8PM.
As you can see, you can literally register to vote, request a ballot and mail it in, all from the comfort of your own home. Please use the one sent to you by the Secretary of State’s office to be safe. If you do not feel comfortable VOTING BY MAIL, you can track your absentee ballot here: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/absenteeballotstatus/absentee/search, which should help alleviate your fears. This link can also be found on the Secretary of State's website.
If you are still nervous about the vote by mail program (which Iowa has done without fraud for many years), then please vote in person. I would recommend VOTING EARLY. There are usually no lines, meaning fewer people, and it is much faster. Your county may have satellite polling places set up, but if not, the Auditor’s Office in your county is the place to be. (see below for a list of satellite voting locations)
I feel these are the two best options to vote as you never know what is going to pop up on election day and possibly cost you a chance to vote. If you are still undecided and would like to wait, then please vote in person on election day. I just want to emphasize again that you can find your correct polling place on the Secretary of State’s website.
I would like to encourage you to vote. I know by now you are sick of political ads and so am I. These are usually a bunch of malarkeys anyway. Take some time out of your schedules and do a little digging, find out what they are actually campaigning on. While you are free to vote for whomever you choose, please look at the candidate and ask yourself - are they trying to destroy unions, or trying to build them?
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at rhtucker@ibewlu347.org, or you can call me at 515-419-4802 or 515-243-1924.
Thank you - Randy Tucker
Satellite Voting: Hours & Locations
Altoona Public Library, 700 8th St, Altoona 50009
October 22nd - 26th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Ankeny Kirkendall Library, 1250 SW District Dr, Ankeny 50023
October 22nd - 26th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Central Iowa Center for Independent Living, 100 E Euclid Ave. #105, DSM 50313
October 17th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Drake University, Knapp Center Shivers Courtside Club, 2601 Forest Ave, DSM 50311
October 18th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
East Des Moines Public Library, 2559 Hubbell Ave, DSM 50317
October 22nd - 26th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Faith Baptist Bible College, 1900 NW 4th St, Ankeny 50023
October 18th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Grandview College, Kent Henning Student Center, 2811 E. 14th St, DSM 50316
October 18th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Grimes Public Library, 200 NE Beaverbrooke Blvd, Grimes 50111
October 17th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Johnston Public Library, 6700 Merle Hay Rd, Johnston 50131
October 22nd - 26th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Northwest Community Center, 5110 Franklin Ave, DSM 50310
October 22nd - 26th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
South Side Library, 1111 Porter Ave, DSM
October 25th - 26th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Urbandale Public Library, 3520 86th St, Urbandale 50322
October 22nd - 26th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Pkwy, WDSM 50265
October 22nd - 26th, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
