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Auditor & Elections - Absentee Voting

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1. How do I request an absentee ballot?

To request an absentee ballot, print out the Iowa Absentee Ballot Request Form, fill it out and mail it to the Auditor’s Office. 

Story County Auditor’s Office 900 6th St. Nevada, IA 50201 

Upon receiving the request and when ballots are available, an absentee ballot and voting instructions will be mailed to you. If you do not having printer capability or access to the internet, you may call the Auditor’s Office to have a request form mailed to you. (515) 382-7210. 

In lieu of the Iowa Absentee Ballot Request Form, you may submit a written request for an absentee ballot on a piece of paper no smaller than 3x5 inches.

The request must contain the following required information: 

• Name
• Date of Birth 
• Iowa driver’s license/non-operator ID number OR 4-digit PIN from your voter confirmation card 
• Address (this must be a street address, not a PO Box) 
• Mailing Address for the Absentee Ballot (if different from Story County voting address) 
• Political Party Affiliation (Primary Election only) 
• Name and Date of Election (e.g., General Election, November 3, 2020) 
• Signature and Date 
• For mailed ballots, completed forms must be returned to the Auditor’s Office by 5:00 p.m. no later than the pre-registration deadline for the election (11 days before all elections except General Elections which is 10 days).

Absentee Ballot Request Form

2. Who may vote an absentee ballot?

Any registered voter may vote early for any reason in any election. There are two ways to vote early: In Person: Once ballots become available, you may vote in the Auditor’s Office during business hours, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additional in person voting opportunities are available the Saturday preceding a Primary Election and the two Saturdays preceding a General Election. Additional opportunities for early voting may be provided at satellite stations. Satellite voting is called at the discretion of the Auditor or by petition of citizens. The deadline to vote absentee in person is 4:30 p.m. the Monday before an election. By Mail: To vote by mail, send a signed request form or a written request for an absentee ballot with all the required information to the Auditor’s Office.

NOTE:  Due to COVID-19, all County buildings are currently closed to the public.  Please check the specific election page for information about in-person absentee voting.

Absentee Ballot Request Form

3. When can I apply for an absentee ballot?

You can request an absentee ballot for an election no more than 120 days before the date of the election. Ballots will not be mailed until the 29th day before the election. The deadline to request that a ballot be mailed to you is 5:00 p.m. on the 11th day before an election (two Fridays before). In the case a General Election, the deadline is the 10th day before the election (two Saturdays before). You may still vote early in person at the Auditor’s Office until 4:30 p.m. on the Monday before an election. If you are voting by mail, your ballot must be postmarked the day before the election OR returned in person to the Auditor’s Office by the close of polls on Election Day.

Absentee Ballot Request Form

4. When are ballots sent out?

For domestic voters, ballots are sent out 29 days before the election.

On the 29th day before an election, absentee ballots are sent to everyone who has requested a ballot up to that point. Requests that are received after ballots are available are processed and sent out within the next business day. Absentee Ballot Request Form

5. Can I sign up to automatically get an absentee ballot for every election?

In Iowa, you must request an absentee ballot in writing for each election. The only exception is for members of the military or voters living outside the United States. Overseas citizens and military personnel may complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and receive ballots for all federal elections during a calendar year, unless the voter requests that ballots be sent for all elections. Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

6. I am in the military and/or living overseas. How can I vote absentee?

The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) makes it easier for military personnel and overseas citizens to participate in elections. The voter completes a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) form to receive ballots.

The FPCA serves as both a voter registration application and an absentee ballot request application.

The voter will be mailed absentee ballots for all federal elections during a calendar year, unless the voter states s/he wants ballots for a specified time frame or only for a particular election.

If the voter's address changes during the calendar year, the voter needs to complete and submit a new FPCA form.

UOCAVA ballots must be ready 45 days before federal elections. Federal Post Card Application (FPCA)

7. I am a college/graduate student. Where should I get my absentee ballot?

In Iowa, students have the option to vote either at home or in their college town. For more information about student options, go to the Secretary of State's College Voter Information page. College Voter Information

8. I have moved. Can I request a ballot? Which address should I use?

If you are currently a registered voter and you moved within Story County, fill out the absentee request form with your new address. This allows us to update your voter registration with your new address.

If you are a new registrant in Story County, complete both a voter registration form and an absentee ballot request and submit them to the Auditor's Office. Absentee Ballot Request Form

9. Can I request a ballot by email or fax?

Yes, however, in order for your vote to be counted, you must send us the original signed request.  You may fax or email a scanned copy of a completed request form. Fax to (515) 382-7221 or email auditorweb@storycountyiowa.gov. Requests must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the 11th day before an election (10 days before a General Election). The original request document must be postmarked by the request deadline and must be received by the Friday following most elections. If the canvass by the Board of Supervisors is held during the week of the election, the time of the canvass is the deadline for receipt of the original signed request. [IA 721 - 21.2(2)]

Iowa Admin Code 721.21.2

10. Can I request an absentee ballot for someone else?

You may pick up a request form for someone, have them sign it, and bring or send the form back to our office.

A person who has been designated to have power of attorney (POA) by a registered voter does not have the authority to request or to cast an absentee ballot on behalf of the registered voter. Absentee Ballot Request Form

11. Can I pick up an absentee ballot for someone else?

Again, you may pick up a request form for someone else, but we must mail the ballot directly to that voter. You may mail multiple requests in the same envelope. Absentee Ballot Request Form

12. What if I have power of Attorney (POA)?

An individual who has power of attorney does not have the authority to sign a voter registration form, request an absentee ballot, or cast an absentee ballot on behalf of the voter. If a voter is unable to sign, the voter can use a rubber stamp or mark to sign. The voter may also ask for assistance and have someone sign the form on the voter's behalf as long as it is done in the voter's presence and with the voter's permission.

13. Can I take a ballot home with me?

No. Iowa law does not allow us to give you a ballot to take home. You can either vote in our office or we can mail you your ballot.

14. If I lose my absentee ballot, can I get another one?

A voter who has lost an absentee ballot or whose ballot did not arrive in the mail may request a replacement ballot by phone or in writing. A replacement ballot will be sent to the voter with two (2) copies of "Voter Statement--Lost Absentee Ballot." The voter returns one copy to the Auditor's Office and keeps one for his/her own record.

15. How do I return my absentee ballot?

You can return your ballot by mail (postage is paid) or in person.

16. Can I return my ballot by email or fax?

No, the actual ballot must be returned.

17. Does the ballot have to be returned by mail?

No. Your absentee ballot may be returned in person or by mail. Return postage is paid.

18. Can I give my voted absentee ballot to someone else to return for me?

Yes. Iowa law no longer requires registered couriers.

19. When must I return the voted ballot?

Absentee ballots must be received no later than the close of polls (9:00 p.m. for General and partisan Primary elections, and 8:00 p.m. for all other elections) on Election Day. Your voted absentee ballot must be returned to the Auditor's Office (not your polling place).

If you return your voted ballot by mail, your ballot must be postmarked by the day before the election. It will be counted if it arrives by noon on the Monday after the election, or before the canvass (official certification of results). The canvass is usually six days after the election, but may be held sooner.

20. If I request an absentee ballot, can I change my mind and still vote at my regular polling place?

You may mail or return in person your absentee ballot to the Auditor's Office with the words "DO NOT WANT--WILL VOTE AT THE POLLS" on the outside envelope. This allows the Auditor's Office to void your absentee ballot. Or you may surrender your absentee ballot to the precinct officials at your regular polling place. You will then be allowed to vote in the normal manner.

If you have been issued an absentee ballot and do not bring it with you when you go to the polls, you will have to vote a provisional ballot.

21. How are absentee ballots counted?

All absentee ballots remain sealed in their affidavit envelopes until Election Day [exception: for large General Elections, the Special Board may convene and begin opening envelopes on the Monday before]. On Election Day, the bipartisan Special Board removes the ballots from the affidavit envelopes and feeds them into a ballot scanner. The results are not tabulated until the polls are closed. If additional absentee ballots with timely postmarks arrive after Election Day and before the canvass, members of the Special Board reconvene to examine and count them.