50+ Lifestyles

Vote Safely

By Sonita Oldfield-Carlson
Marketing and Public Relations
Milestone’s Area Agency on Aging

Though it may seem too early to be planning for November voting, the fact is that now is the perfect time to ensure you’re registered to vote, and all your information is correct. New laws in Iowa have changed how County Auditors can verify voter information, so the process may take longer; you’ll want to allow plenty of time for the process to be completed. The safest way to vote during a pandemic is by mail. Here are the steps you can take to receive a ballot and vote by mail:

1. Make sure you are registered to vote.
2. Contact your County Auditor or Commissioner of Elections:

Call your County Auditor and request that an absentee ballot be sent to your home address. You can also email your County Auditor to request an absentee ballot. Requests for the upcoming election must be made before Oct. 24, 2020.

In the Q-C area, County Auditor Information is below:

Clinton County Auditor – Eric Van Lancker (D)
Phone 563-244-0568
Fax 563-243-5869
Email vanlancker@clintoncounty-ia.gov

Muscatine County Auditor – Leslie Soule (R)
Phone 563-263-5821
Fax 563-263-7248
Email auditor@co.muscatine.ia.us

Scott County Auditor – Roxanna Moritz (D)
Phone 563-326-8631
Fax 563-326-8601
Email auditor@scottcountyiowa.com

For other Iowa counties, you can go to the website https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/auditors/auditorslist.html to search for your County Auditor’s contact information.

If any information is incorrect, you may receive a call. If you do, take care to avoid scams. Do not give out or confirm personal information like your birthdate, Social Security number, Driver’s License number, etc. Tell the caller you will call them back. Then hang up and call the official number of your County Auditor’s office. Explain you received a call regarding your request for an absentee ballot by mail and you are taking precaution by initiating the return call.

3. Complete the Absentee Ballot Form:

• Be prepared to answer the following:
• Name and Date of Birth
• DL or ID Number
• Residential Address
• Name or Date of the Election for which you are requesting the ballot (Nov. 3, 2020 General Election)
• Sign and date

4. Return the Absentee Ballot

Follow the ballot instructions carefully to ensure your vote will count. Mail your ballot to your County Auditor before Monday, Nov. 2.

Sonita Oldfield-Carlson is Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator at Milestones Area Agency on Aging. She can be reached at (563) 484-3147.