CLINTON —
Potential voters have been met with a flurry of campaign ads, mailers and pleas for votes for months during this highly contested election season.
Those who have seen enough to make up their mind or want more time to vote at their own pace can cast an absentee ballot beginning today.
Clinton County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections, Eric Van Lancker said he anticipates 40 percent of the ballots cast this election to be absentee.
“People like taking care of that on their own time. If that increases voter turnout overall, that’s great,” Van Lancker said.
In 2008, Clinton County had a record 74 percent voter turnout. Van Lancker predicts while this year will not top the record, it will reach the 70 percent mark.
Van Lancker said some of the people seeking absentee ballots do so because it allows them time at home to research each candidate before making their choice.
“I think that’s exciting that people are getting the ballot at home to make an informed decision,” Van Lancker said.
The two-sided ballots will feature a number of elections reaching from soil and water conservation district commissioners and township officials all the way to the presidential election.
Clinton County voters will cast votes in the Second Congressional District race featuring Rep. Dave Loebsack (D), John Archer (R), and a candidate nominated by petition, Alan Aversa.
Clinton County voters will also cast votes in the newly created Senate District 49. Andrew Naeve (R) and Rita Hart (D) will run to be the first to hold the seat that was created as a result of redistricting.
Two State House Districts also have races to be decided in November. Incumbent Rep. Steven Olson (R) and Ted Whisler (D) will seek the seat in House District 97, which includes the western portion of Clinton County and the six townships in Scott County that are included in Senate District 49.
Incumbent Mary Wolfe (D) will face nominated by petition candidate Carolyn Grimes in the race for House District 98. This district includes all of Clinton and Low Moor and extends north and west to include Andover, Goose Lake and Charlotte.
There is also a race for one Board of Supervisors seat. Voters will choose between incumbent John Staszewski (D) and Tom Determann (R).
Absentee ballots must be requested in writing. Forms are available at the Auditor’s Office, on the Clinton County web site at www.clintoncounty-ia.gov and at the Iowa Secretary of State’s web site at www.sos.iowa.gov.
Absentee ballots may be cast in the Clinton County Auditor’s office at the Clinton County Administration building, 1900 N. Third St., during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The office will also be open Saturday, Oct. 27, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Voters who plan to mail their ballots back to the Auditor’s office should do so no later than Nov. 1 in order to ensure their votes will be counted, Van Lancker said. The ballot has to have a Nov. 5 post-marked date and Van Lancker fears that might not happen if the ballot does not get mailed by Nov. 1, causing the ballot to be uncountable.
“If people are taking the time we want the ballots to count for them,” Van Lancker said.
Features
September 27, 2012
Absentee voting begins today
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