The Courthouse Main Entrance is now open.
Absentee
Can I pick up or request a ballot for someone else?
No. In Iowa you can only request an absentee ballot for yourself.
Can I request an absentee ballot by email or fax?
Yes. You may request an absentee ballot via email or fax and a ballot will be mailed to you. However, in order for your ballot to be counted you must also mail in or drop off the original paper ballot request.
Can I use power of attorney to request a ballot for my spouse, child or parent?
No. Under Iowa law, power of attorney does not apply for all election related matters.
Can someone else return my absentee ballot for me?
The only people who may return a ballot for a voter are:
- someone living in the voter’s household
- an immediate family member
- a special precinct election official delivering a ballot for health care residents
- a delivery agent, in the case of a voter unable to return a ballot due to blindness or other disability
Do I need to sign the return envelope of my absentee ballot?
Yes! Your absentee ballot cannot be counted unless you have signed the affidavit envelope that you return your ballot in. If we receive a ballot back that has not been signed we will attempt to contact you to get this fixed. Once contacted, you may decide to either:
- Request a replacement ballot and return it by 8:00 p.m. on election day
- Vote at the polls on election day
- Sign the affidavit in person at the county auditor’s office by 8:00 p.m. on election day
Do absentee ballots even get counted?
Yes. There is a myth that absentee ballots only get counted if the election is close, however, this is not true. Under Iowa law, every ballot must be counted.
How can I get an absentee ballot for my son or daughter serving in the military?
Iowa law authorizes additional voter registration and absentee voting rights for Iowans actively serving in the military or living outside the United States.
Military/Overseas Voting
For local questions or personal assistance, contact:
Tracie Siemers, Deputy Auditor
641-421-3041
How can I get an absentee ballot for my son or daughter who is in college?
A college student may register at the student's "permanent" home address or at the college residence, but not both. Your son or daughter must complete and sign an Absentee Ballot Request and deliver/mail it to the appropriate County Auditor.
Absentee Voting
How can I get an absentee ballot for this election?
You may obtain an absentee ballot by one of the following ways:
- Call the County Auditor's office at 641-421-3027 and request an Absentee Ballot Request form be mailed to you. Once you receive the request form, you must complete the form and mail or drop off the completed form at the County Auditor's office. Once the form is received, a ballot will be mailed to your mailing address.
Absentee Voting
I heard one of the candidates is ahead based on absentee voting. Is this right?
No. Results from absentee voting are not released until after the polls close on Election Day. Prior to that, the media sometimes speculates on voting results based on the number of absentee voters and those voters' political party affiliations.
What if I lost my absentee ballot that was mailed to me?
To request a replacement ballot:
- Contact the County Auditor's office at 641-421-3041 and advise them of the situation.
- You will be asked to complete and sign a form stating that you lost or never received the absentee ballot.
- Ask for a replacement absentee ballot.
What is the last day I can turn in my absentee ballot?
You are allowed to hand deliver your ballot to the Auditor’s office up until the time the polls close on Election Day. If you return your ballot through the mail, your ballot must arrive by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, with exceptions for individuals in the Safe at Home program and military/overseas citizens. Learn more on our Absentee Voting page.
When are absentee ballots counted?
In Cerro Gordo County, the absentee board will meet on Election Day to count the absentee ballots. They may also meet the day before to review absentee voters' affidavits.
Election Day
Are the polling places accessible?
Yes. All 26 polling places in Cerro Gordo County meet federal and state requirements for accessibility.
Can I get help marking my ballot?
Yes. If you need assistance filling out your ballot ask a poll worker for help. A team of one republican and one democrat will come over and help you mark your ballot. Also available in each polling location is a ballot marking device that will read you all of the choices and then print out your marked ballot.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
Yes. Iowa law allows for Election Day registration if you are able to provide proof of identification (i.e. valid photo ID) and proof of residency (i.e. utility bill with your name on it if your ID has an outdated address on it). If you are unable to provide one or both of these you are allowed to bring someone with you to attest that you have the right to vote.
Can I take my absentee ballot to the polls on Election Day and vote there?
Yes. If you have not returned your absentee ballot you may go to your polling place on Election Day and vote a regular ballot.
Do I need to show ID to vote?
Beginning January 1, 2019, Iowa voters will be required to show a driver’s license, non-driver’s ID, passport, military ID, veterans ID, Tribal ID or Voter ID Card at the polls before they vote. Voters, starting in 2019, without an ID may cast a provisional ballot or have another registered voter attest to their identity.
I am already registered but my information needs updated; can I do that on Election Day?
Yes. While it is recommended that you update your information prior to Election Day to speed things up at the polls, you may wait and do so on Election Day. If you are updating your address just make sure you are going to the polling place for your new address. When updating your address you will now need to provide proof of identity and proof of residency.
I can't get out of my car; can someone bring me a ballot to vote from there?
Yes. If you are unable to go inside the polling place a team of election workers will be sent out to your car to help you vote.
I lost my absentee ballot; can I just go vote on Election Day?
Yes. When you go to vote, a poll worker will verify with the auditor’s office that your absentee ballot has not been returned. If it is confirmed that the auditor’s office has not received a ballot from you then you will be given a new ballot to vote there.
If someone helps me mark the ballot, can they tell others how I voted?
No. Iowa law prohibits a person from revealing how another person voted.
What do I need to bring with me to vote?
Starting in January of 2019 you will be required to show identification. If you need to register to vote on Election Day, you must bring proof of identification and proof of residency.
What does the Voter's Declaration of Eligibility form illustrate at the polls on Election Day?
You will need to sign the form, swearing or affirming that:
- You are registered to vote in Cerro Gordo County
- You live in the precinct where you are voting
- You live at the address illustrated on the Voter's Declaration of Eligibility form
- You have not and will not vote in any other precinct at this election
What if I lost my ID or forgot to take one with me to the polls?
Starting in 2019, if you do not have your ID with you, you may either cast a provisional ballot or have another registered voter attest to your identity. Learn more about provisional ballots and attesting on our Voter ID page.
What if I want to register to vote on Election Day and I don't have an Iowa driver's license?
If you don't have an Iowa driver's license or non-operator ID, you may use one of these forms of ID:
- Out-of-state Driver's License or Non-operator's ID
- U.S. Passport
- U.S. Military ID or Veteran's ID
- ID card issued by an employer
- Student ID issued by Iowa high school or college
- Tribal ID card/document
The above IDs must display the voter's photo and an expiration date that is unexpired.
If your photo ID does not contain your current address, you may use another document to prove where you live. Proof of residence must include name and current address and be current within 45 days; may be in electronic format or on paper. The following are acceptable proofs of residence:
- Residential lease
- Utility bill (including a cell phone bill)
- Bank statement
- Paycheck
- Government check
- Other government document
- Property tax statement (current within 45 days of final payment date)
What if I want to register to vote on Election Day, but I'm a college student and live on campus. What kind of documentation do I need?
For a student at an Iowa community college or public university, "other government documents" that can be used to prove residency in the precinct include:
- A printed page from an online student directory
- A printed page from an online college or university billing
- A copy of the residence hall contract
The above forms must be current and must list the student's name and local address.
For a student at a private college, you may use a housing contract to meet the definition of a "residential lease." The contract must:
- Be effective for the current semester or term
- List the student's name
- Provide the building name where the student lives and a room number, if applicable
Absentee Voting Information
What if I'm still waiting in line when the polls close?
So long as you are in line to vote at the time the polls close you will be allowed to vote.
What is a provisional ballot?
If a voter’s eligibility is in question on Election Day they are allowed to cast a provisional ballot. After the voter marks their ballot and returns it to the poll worker, the voter is required to provide the necessary identification or documentation at the polling place before it closes or provide it at the Auditor’s Office by noon on the following Monday. If the canvass will be held earlier than the following Monday, the identification must be provided before the canvass.
If it is determined that you do have the right to vote in the precinct in which you voted, your ballot will then be counted and included in the final vote total.
What is the first step when I vote at the polls on Election Day?
Cerro Gordo County uses a computerized election register to validate each voter. Once a precinct official determines the voter is eligible to cast a ballot, the system will print a Voter's Declaration of Eligibility form.
What kind of voting system will I see?
Voters in each precinct will cast votes on paper ballots that will be counted by ballot scanners. Absentee ballots will be counted by a high speed ballot scanner.
What's next after I sign the Voter's Declaration of Eligibility form?
You will exchange the completed and signed Voter's Declaration of Eligibility form for a ballot and be directed to a voting booth to mark the ballot.
The final step will be for you to insert your voted ballot into the ballot scanner to be counted.
When are election results released?
Election results from absentee ballots will be released shortly after the polls close on Election Day. Results from the polling places will be accumulated as precincts report on election night.
Who determines whether a voter's provisional ballot is valid?
Provisional ballots will be reviewed and determined by the Absentee and Special Voters Precinct Board (ASVP Board) within a week of Election Day. The ASVP Board is composed of precinct officials appointed by the Democratic and Republican Parties, and by the County Auditor.
Why are the official results different from the results posted on election night?
Election night results are unofficial. They do not include valid provisional ballots and valid absentee ballots received after Election Day. Official election results will be certified at the election canvass.
Why do they scan your driver's license at the polls on Election Day?
The computerized election register offers a voter the option of scanning a driver's license or registered voter card as a fast and more efficient check-in method, which reduces the potential for human error and streamlines the process.
Registration
How can I find out if I am registered to vote?
To find out if you are registered or if you need to update your registration, call the County Auditor's office at 641-421-3027 or inquire with the Secretary of State's online site.
Can I update my voter registration over the phone?
Can a homeless person register to vote?
Yes. Any eligible voter in Iowa may register to vote. Because many of those who are homeless have a nontraditional address they just need to provide an address or description of where they sleep the most, wherever that may be.
Can someone with a previous felony conviction vote?
Those with a prior felony conviction are only permitted to vote if their voting rights have been restored by the Governor, including through Executive Order. For more information about restoration of rights, contact the Governor’s office or visit the voter registration page on our website.
Do I have to change my voter registration if my name or address changes?
Yes. If you moved to a different county in Iowa, you will need to register in your new county. If you moved within the same county, you may update your registration with the County Auditor prior to the election or at your new polling place on Election Day. Updating your address on Election Day will take more time. Also, you will need to provide proof of identity and residence, if you have moved to a different precinct. A voter registration form is also used to change your name or address. Complete the form and return it to the County Auditor's office. A new card will be mailed to you.
Do I have to register to vote for every election?
No. You would only need to re-register if your information has changed and you need to update it.
How can I register to vote?
There are several ways in which to register to vote. The Iowa Voter Registration Form is available at various locations including this website, or you may pick one up at the Auditor’s Office. You may also register to vote when you obtain a driver’s license or register online. You may request that the Auditor’s Office mail a voter registration form to you. Once the Auditor's Office processes your voter registration, you will receive notice that you are registered.
How to Register to Vote
How do I update my address?
If you have moved recently and need to update your address for voting, all you have to do is fill out a new voter registration form and submit it to the Auditor’s office. If you do not update your address after a move through a new voter registration form and do not vote in the next general election, you will be marked inactive (inactive voters may still vote with proper ID). Registration will be canceled if two more general elections pass with no voter activity.
I just registered and received a card in the mail but there is a mistake on it; what do I do now?
If you notice a mistake on your voter card please contact the Auditor’s Office and/or submit a new registration form to correct your information.
I registered as an independent; why does my card say "NP" or "No Party"?
Iowa does not recognize an “independent” party. Instead, “No Party” is used to indicate a lack of affiliation with a political party.
What does "preregister" mean?
The name of the voter who is preregistered will appear in the precinct election register on Election Day.
Who can register to vote?
To register to vote you must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Iowa, at least 17 years old, have not been convicted of a felony (or have had your rights restored), not currently judged by a court to be "incompetent to vote," and you must have given up your right to vote in any other place. However, you must be 18 years old in order to vote.
Why should I preregister, if I can register on Election Day?
If you preregister to vote, you do not have to show proof of identity and current residency in your precinct. Refer to "Important Dates" under the specific election to determine the preregistration deadline.
When registering to vote at the polls on Election Day, you will have to show proof of identity and current residency in your precinct, so you should be aware the process will take more time.