As the June 2nd primary approaches, Marion County Auditor Jake Grandia and Secretary of State Paul Pate along with auditors across Iowa continue to encourage voters to cast absentee ballots by mail as the state continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Absentee ballot request forms were sent via mail to every active registered voter in the state in April with the deadline of 5 p.m. on Friday, May 22nd to have them mailed in to receive a ballot in time to vote in the June 2nd primary. 

Marion County Auditor Jake Grandia says the request forms are designated as postcard return type forms and some voters might not feel comfortable mailing them the traditional way with their information exposed. Grandia tells KNIA/KRLS News another way voters can mail in the request forms is by putting the form in an envelope with a stamp and mailing it that way so that all the information is no longer exposed to anyone. Grandia says there is nothing wrong with mailing the form that way as long as it is postmarked by May 22nd. 

Primary elections are intended for members of the Republican and Democratic parties only. Anyone requesting a ballot needs to indicate on the request form which party ballot they would like to receive. 

Grandia says the county also has in person voting available at the Auditor’s Office temporary location at the Old East Elementary building in Knoxville. Residents can vote in person by using the west door of the East Elementary building and in-person voting will be the only business they will be allowed to do while visiting the Auditor’s Office.