(KIWA Staff Photo)Iowa (RI) — Early, in-person voting at county auditors’ offices begins Wednesday, and county auditors will also start mailing absentee ballots to voters who requested the vote-by-mail option.
Winnebago County Auditor Karla Weiss, president of the Iowa State Association of County Auditors, says voters need to make sure the outside of their absentee ballot is signed, among other required signatures.
Absentee ballots must arrive at county auditors’ offices by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
Meanwhile, candidates and political parties are increasing their get-out-the vote efforts. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart says Democratic candidates for governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House are coordinating voter outreach efforts focused on direct, face-to-face contact.
Iowa Republican Party Chair Jeff Kaufmann says Republicans are also making early voting a major priority. Kaufmann noted that U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst has contributed campaign funds to help support those efforts.
Democrats traditionally held an advantage in Iowa’s early voting totals, but about 10,000 more Republicans than Democrats cast absentee ballots in 2024.
