May 13 marked the start of early voting, where Iowans can cast their ballots in key races ahead of the June 2 primary.
During this year’s primary, voters will select a slate of nominees in closely watched races for governor, Iowa’s four U.S. Congressional districts and an open U.S. Senate seat ahead of November’s midterm elections.
As early voting commences, there are 1,791,361 total active registered voters in Iowa, according to a May 4 report from the Iowa Secretary of State.
While Iowa has multiple hotly contested primary races, Polk County Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald said early voting turnout in primaries is typically “depressed” compared with general elections. He pointed to lower voter interest and lighter pushes from campaigns as election season ramps up.
“That doesn’t mean there isn’t enthusiasm there, it just means people are going to kick the tires on candidates,” Fitzgerald said.
The Polk County Election Office received roughly 2,800 mail-in absentee ballots over the past 70 days, down from the typical 4,300 ballot demand.
But the office also saw 125 voters as of early Wednesday afternoon, which is a strong early turnout, he said.
Here is how you can vote early in Iowa.
When does in-person early voting start in Iowa? How do I vote early in person?
Early voting in Iowa begins 20 days before Election Day. In-person early voting is available at your local county auditor’s office.
If requested by at least 100 registered voters, counties may establish satellite early voting stations to allow voters to cast their ballots at locations other than the auditor’s office. To find out satellite voting stations for the coming election, contact your county auditor’s office.
Where are the early voting sites in Polk County?
Early voting is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Polk County Election Office’s new location, 2309 Euclid Ave., in Des Moines. The office will also be open on Saturday, May 30.
A limited number of satellite locations will be open in Polk County from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Voters in Polk County can cast their ballot at any satellite location, according to the Polk County Auditor’s Office. Paper ballots may not be available for every precinct, but each satellite location will have ADA-compliant machines and electronic ballots to allow every voter to cast the correct ballot.
West Des Moines Public Library
Grimes Public Library
Urbandale Public Library
Ankeny Public Library
What to know about absentee voting in Iowa
In-person early voting is one form of absentee voting allowed in Iowa. The other is absentee voting by mail.
Absentee ballot requests in Iowa opened on March 24. To vote by mail, a written application must be received by your county auditor by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 18. Ballots have to be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Where are the early voting sites in Dallas County?
Once early voting begins, Dallas County voters can vote in-person at the Dallas County Auditor’s office, 210 N. 10th St., Adel, on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
There are two Dallas County satellite locations. Sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Voting at satellite locations is open to all eligible voters in Dallas County.
Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
Heartland Presbyterian Church
Do I have to be a registered Republican or Democrat to vote in Iowa’s primaries?
Iowans have to cast primary ballots for candidates from their registered party. So, a registered Republican will only vote for the Republican candidates in races, and a Democrat will only vote for the Democratic candidates.
No-party or independent voters will not be able to vote in the primary.
Voters can change party affiliation before May 18 by sending in an updated voter registration form, or at their precincts by following the Election Day registration process.
How does voter registration this year compare with the last midterm election?
As of May 4, there are 1,791,361 total active registered voters in Iowa. Of those, 692,089 are active registered Republicans, 496,219 are active registered Democrats and 588,500 are active registered no-party voters.
Voter registration ahead of this year’s early voting period dipped by roughly 45,000 active registrations compared with the same time during the 2022 midterm election cycle. In May 2022, there were 1,837,395 active registered voters in Iowa.
Maya Marchel Hoff is a rapid response political reporter for the Des Moines Register. You can reach her at mmarchelhoff@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Early voting has started in Iowa. Here’s what to know.
Reporting by Maya Marchel Hoff and Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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