Iowans are encouraged to vote by mail in the June 2nd primary. To assist with the process Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is having his office mail absentee ballot request forms to every active registered voter in the state. Once people receive those forms, they can fill them out and put them in the mail, and then their respective county auditors will mail the official ballots to voters. As soon as ballots are received they can be completed and mailed back in, they must be postmarked by June 1st.

Washington County Auditor Dan Widmer says in order to participate in the primary elections you must declare your party affiliation as either a Republican or Democrat, “The simplest way to do that is if you’re not affiliated with either of the political parties and still want to participate, on your absentee ballot request you can mark either party who you want to participate in that party’s races. And your party affiliation will be automatically taken care of and transferred to whichever party’s ballot you request.”

Widmer adds that there will be in-person voting available but the sites have been consolidated to four places across Washington County. Ainsworth, Brighton, and Washington Wards 2 and 3 will vote at the Washington High School. Kalona and Riverside will vote at Riverside City Hall. Washington Wards 1 and 4 will vote at the county courthouse. And Wellman and West Chester residents can vote at the West Chester Heritage Building. Widmer says the easiest way to vote will be by mail.

Request forms can also be completed online – click here.