LAST MINUTE CONCERNS OF PEOPLE WHO GO TO THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY:
Voting Booth
What do I do if I have moved since the last time I voted?
If you still live in the county where you were last registered to vote, go to the polling site for your new address. Take a current picture identification with you. You will be asked to complete a voter registration form with your new address, and you can vote in the usual manner.
What if I don’t have my voter registration card any more?
You do not need your voter registration card to vote. If you are asked for identification, show your driver license or other picture identification.
What if I go to the polls and they tell me I am not on the list?
Find out if you are at the right precinct. If not, you should vote at a different polling site.
If you are at the right precinct, you will be asked to show proper ID and register to vote or you can vote by special ballot. Your ballot will be put into an envelope until later. The envelope for the special ballot will include a place for you to write why you believe you should be allowed to vote.
What if I go to the polls and they tell me I can’t vote because I requested an absentee ballot?
You will be asked to fill out a form saying that you did not receive an absentee ballot. You can then vote a ballot, which will be put into a special envelope.
I don’t want to vote for anyone on the ballot for a particular race. How do I cast a write-in vote?
To vote for a valid write-in candidate, darken the oval AND write the person’s name on the line provided.
ELECTION DAY REGISTRATION
As of January 1, 2008, Iowa law allows you to register to vote on Election Day at the polling place for the precinct you currently live in. After showing proper identification you may register and vote at the precinct the same day.
If you register to vote on Election Day, you will be required to show proof of residence and identity. Deadline to pre-register to vote for the December 3, 2013, Municipal Runoff Election is Friday, November 22nd, or postmarked by Monday, November 18th and received in the Auditor’s Office by Friday, November 22nd. The Auditor’s office will be open that day from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. If you register before the voter registration deadline, you will not be required to show proof of residence and identity. The voter deadline is 10 days before the primary and general elections and 11 days before all other elections.
You can register to vote at the polls on Election Day. You will be required to show proof of residency and proof of identity. The best form of ID is a valid Iowa driver’s license with current address. If your Iowa driver’s license has an old address on it, you can use the license as proof of identity and use one of the following as proof of residence if it contains your current address:
+ Residential lease
+ Property tax statement
+ Utility bill
+ Bank statement
+ Paycheck
+ Government check
+ Other government document
If you do not have an Iowa driver’s license, you can provide one of the following as proof of identity if it contains your current photo. It must be valid and contain an expiration date:
+ An out-of-state driver’s license
+ Non-driver identification card
+ US passport
+ US military ID
+ ID card issued by employer
+ Student ID issued by Iowa high school or college
If you do not have proof of residence and identity, a registered voter in the precinct may attest to the fact that you are who you say you are and that you live in the precinct you say you live in.
If you have a registered voter in the precinct attest to your residence and identity, you will both be required to sign an oath. Falsely attesting or being attested for is a class “D” felony.
If you do not have proof of residence or identity and do not have anyone who can attest to your residence and identity, you will be allowed to vote a provisional ballot. The special precinct board will meet Thursday, December 5th, to consider provisional ballots.
Requiring proof of residence and identity makes it hard for someone to be able to register to vote and vote in more than one precinct on Election Day.
After the election, all voters who registered to vote through election day registration will be sent a notice by mail. If this notice is returned as undeliverable, a forwardable notice will be mailed to the voter. If the county auditor does not receive a response to that notice within 14 days, the auditor will notify the county attorney and secretary of state for investigation and possible prosecution.
