River Bend Times

In Iowa, primary elections will proceed on June 2, but officials are encouraging the public to cast their votes early and by mail. 

Under normal circumstances, absentee voters can request a ballot by mail from the Iowa Secretary of State. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Secretary of State will be mailing every registered voter in Iowa an absentee ballot request form for this year's primaries.

In an effort to help flatten the curve, other states have moved the dates back so that people aren't congregating at polling sites during the pandemic. Iowa is keeping the date, but ensuring that the public can still practice social distancing and self-isolation by providing every eligible voter the option to cast an absentee ballot.

Traditional voting stations present challenges for those in quarantine or self-isolation to be able to cast their vote and makes proper social distancing almost impossible. Practices that are imposed and encouraged by state officials and public health organizations alike. However, democracy only works if people are able to freely cast their votes. Therefore, it is in the best interest of election officials to get creative and provide alternative means to the public come election time.

On his Twitter feed, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said, "Election officials across the state and country are working to conduct clean, fair elections while protecting voters and poll workers during the #COVID19 pandemic. Glad to work with my bipartisan colleagues to help every eligible citizen #BeAVoter."

The decision by Pate follows further closures and precautions issued by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. On April 6, Reynolds signed a new proclamation furthering the COVID-19 State Public Health Emergency Declaration and ordering additional business closures.

The COVID-19 landscape is changing daily and election officials are doing everything they can to ensure that every eligible voter has a chance to participate in the upcoming election while not exposing themselves to any unnecessary risks. To that end, Pate is considering a forced vote-by-mail system for the November presidential election.

Eligible voters can expect their absentee ballot request form in the mail in mid-late April. Early voting by mail begins April 23.