Burke pushes for absentee voting in June primary

 Montgomery County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections Stephanie Burke is encouraging those wishing to vote in the June 2 Primary Election to vote absentee by mail due to the recent concerns with coronavirus and COVID-19.

“I am respectfully asking our voters to vote absentee by mail for the June Primary Election after meeting with public health officials, other county auditors in Iowa, and with staff from the Secretary of State’s office,” Burke said. “We are making this push for the safety of our voters and election staff.”

“We aren’t sure what this situation will be when Election Day gets here. The situation is very fluid right now,” Burke explained. “We hope all of our precinct election officials will be able to work that day, but we just don’t know at this point, so we may reduce the number of polling locations that we will need to staff.” 

And, whatever decision is made, Burke said there is one absolute.  “There will be a Primary Election on June 2. We will not be delaying the Primary in Iowa.  The way it’s conducted will be determined by the Iowa Secretary of State.”  

Absentee ballots must be requested in writing. Forms are available on the Montgomery County website at montgomerycountyiowa.com.  Absentee ballot requests may also be obtained by calling the Montgomery County Auditor’s Office and requesting one be sent. The Montgomery County Auditor’s Office phone number is 712-623-5127. Requests may be submitted now. Ballots will be mailed when ready.

Absentee requests to vote by mail must be received in the Auditor’s Office by 5 p.m. May 22.

Voters are reminded that for the Primary Election, they must choose a political party on the request form in order to receive the correct ballot.

For more information about the 2020 Primary Election, follow Montgomery County Auditor & Elections Facebook page and at montgomerycountyiowa.com.