Shelby County Auditor shares key dates, extended hours for Primary Election

SHELBY COUNTY — Shelby County Auditor Taryn Knapp is reminding residents of important dates and office hours ahead of Iowa’s June 2 Primary Election as absentee and early voting begin across the state.
Beginning Wednesday, May 13, Shelby County residents may cast ballots in person at the Auditor’s Office during Iowa’s absentee voting period. The office will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the exception of Memorial Day on May 25, when the office will be closed.
Knapp said the office will also offer extended hours until 5 p.m. on May 18 and May 30. In addition, the Auditor’s Office will be open Saturday, May 30, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for in-person absentee voting. On Election Day, Tuesday, June 2, the office will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., although voters must cast ballots at their assigned polling locations that day.
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is encouraging Iowans to make a plan to vote and pay close attention to absentee ballot deadlines.
Written requests for mailed absentee ballots must be received by the Shelby County Auditor’s Office no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, May 18. Completed absentee ballots must be returned to the auditor’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day, June 2. The United States Postal Service recommends mailing ballots at least one week before Election Day to ensure they arrive on time.
“Primary elections matter. Now is the time to make your plan to vote and have an impact on who advances to the general election,” Pate said. “Our Primary Election decides who will appear on the ballot in November, and has a profound impact on the direction of our state, national policies, and the leaders who shape our communities.”
All registered voters may request an absentee ballot by providing their name, date of birth, residential address, Iowa driver’s license or non-operator ID number, or the four-digit voter PIN found on their Iowa Voter ID card. Voters must also indicate the election for which they are requesting a ballot and sign and date the form.
Pate encouraged voters to include a phone number and email address on absentee ballot request forms in case county auditors need to verify information.
“It’s never too early to make your plan to vote, and voting absentee by mail or in person is a safe and secure method to make sure your ballot is cast this June,” Pate said. “Whether you vote early or on Election Day, Iowans can trust that their votes will be counted accurately and fairly.”
Absentee ballot request forms are available through the Iowa Secretary of State’s website at voterready.iowa.gov.  
In-person absentee voting at the Shelby County Auditor’s Office will continue through June 1, the day before the election.