The Marion County Courthouse has been busy with activity as many Iowans are voting early. County Auditor Jake Grandia says they’ve had more requests for absentee ballots than ever before. In all, around 5700 absentee ballots have been distributed, accounting for more than 20% of registered Marion County voters. Still, Grandia says that they’ll have more precinct volunteers on Election Day than normal due to what he expects to be a high turn-out.

He reminds voters that pre-registration for Election Day is Saturday, October 27th at 5pm. Grandia explains pre-registration is both simpler for the voter and makes things flow smoother at the polling site.

The deadline for absentee ballots to be postmarked is Monday, November 5th, though the auditor’s office can no longer send absentee ballots out after Friday, November 2nd. Grandia reminds voters that unlike the primary, this is an open ballot. Voters do not have to pick a straight ticket – instead, they can vote for whomever they want on the ballot.

Finally, Grandia says that the Auditor’s Office will be open at the Courthouse for the two Saturdays leading into the election. That’s October 27th, from 8am-5pm, and November 3rd, from 8am-3pm.