Nov. 3 election info

HOWARD COUNTY - Many Howard County residents have already voted, as is proved by the number of absentee ballots being filled out. As of Monday, Oct. 26, Auditor Julie Chapman said there have been 1,780 absentee ballots requested to be mailed, 1,400 have been returned and 425 have voted in person at the courthouse, including 22 who voted this past Saturday. That is in comparison with 1,659 absentee ballots cast in the 2016 presidential election.

The Auditor’s office will also be open on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

 

More numbers

There are 6,385 individuals registered to vote in Howard County, with 1,767 Democrats, 1,843 Republicans, 2,740 No Party and 35 Other. If a person wants even more information, Afton/Howard/Paris has a total of 999 registered voters; Albion/Forest City, 626; Cresco 1A, 434; Cresco 2, 978; Cresco 3, 896; New Oregon, 565; Riceville/Jamestown/Oakdale, 524; Saratoga/Howard Center/ Chester, 511; and Vernon Springs/Cresco 1B, 852.

 

What can/can’t you do

Below are some clarifications on what can and cannot be done during the local, state and federal elections coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

 

If individuals want to vote absentee, they can do so at the Howard County Auditor’s office until 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 2. Otherwise, the office normally closes at 4:30 p.m.

Poll workers will give voters the appropriate ballot to fill out, and every race on there is allowable.

The sample ballot can be found on page A15.

 

Voter ID

Those voting in the Nov. 3 election or absentee beforehand need to show some form of identification. Accepted forms of ID include:

~ Iowa driver’s license/ Iowa non-operator ID (not expired more than 90 days)

~ U.S. passport (not expired)

~ Iowa Voter Identification Card (must be signed)

~ Tribal ID card/document (must be signed, with photo, not expired)

 

Filling out Ballot

~ Read the ballot. If it says vote for two and three are marked, that race will be thrown out. The rest of the ballot will still count.

In addition, if there are three seats open and the voter only wants to vote for two candidates, the race will still count. A person can vote for less than those listed, but not more than those allowed.

~ If a person does not make a choice for any of the seats, the rest of the ballot will still count.

~ Don’t forget to turn the ballot over for the local races.

 

Election Day

~ Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

~ Any voter who is physically unable to enter a polling place has the right to vote in his or her vehicle. For more information, contact Howard County Auditor’s Office at 563-547-9203.