Be “Voter Ready”: Register to vote or update your registration

Step one in being “Voter Ready” in 2018 is Register to Vote. This includes making sure the address on your voter registration is up-to-date.

The new Election Integrity/Voter ID law does not affect Iowa’s voter registration process. There are still multiple ways to register to vote, including at the polls Election Day, and online. Voters registering on Election Day still need to bring a picture ID and proof of residency in the precinct, such as a utility bill. This has not changed from previous elections.

Registering to vote or updating the address on your voter registration is easy.  Here are some of the ways you may register or change your address:
1. Go to the Auditor’s office in the Allamakee County Courthouse in Waukon to complete a Voter Registration Form.
2. Register online, if you have an Iowa driver’s license or Iowa non-driver ID, at https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/voterregistration.html.
3. Obtain the Iowa Voter Registration form online, complete it and mail it or drop it off to the Allamakee County Auditor’s office at 110 Allamakee Street, Waukon, IA 52172. The Iowa Voter Registration form is available on many websites. Here are just two options:
https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/voterregistration.html.
http://www.allamakee.us/auditor2.
4. When you renew your driver’s license, answer “Yes” when asked if you would like to register to vote. Your voter registration information will be electronically sent to the Auditor’s office.

Some frequently asked questions, and their responses, are printed below:
Q: Iowa offers Election Day Registration (EDR). Why is it important that you pre-register?
A: Being pre-registered allows for a smooth process at the polls on election day. The Election Day Registration process will take several minutes longer at the polls than being pre-registered. EDR laws require a voter to be able to prove identity AND residence at the polls.

Citizens wishing to register to vote on election day, at their polling place, must be prepared to show a valid, non-expired ID to prove identity. Also, if their ID does not show their current address, the person will also be asked to provide a document with their name and current address on it. This document can be a lease, utility bill, bank statement, government check or other government document. If a voter cannot prove both identity and residence at the polls, and wishes to vote, they will be required to vote a provisional ballot.

Q: Why is there a deadline to pre-register?
A: For the June 5, 2018 Primary election the deadline is Friday, May 25 and for the November 6, 2018 General election the deadline is Saturday, October 27. These deadlines are set by Iowa Code and allow the Commissioner of Elections/Auditor time to prepare a complete list of voters for the precincts.
Anyone registering after the deadline and wishing to vote in the election is required to vote absentee in the Auditor’s office at the time they register, because their name will not be included in the voter lists sent to the precincts. If a person misses the deadline and wishes to vote at the polls, rather than vote absentee in the Auditors office, they must go through the Election Day Registration process at their polling place.

Q: What if your address on your voter registration is not up-to-date when you go to the polls on election day?
A: You will be asked to verify your address at the polls by the precinct election officials. If your address is not correct, you will be required to update your address. If your new address is in the same precinct as your old address, you will not be required to provide proof of residence. If your new address is in a different precinct than your old address, you will be required to go to the correct precinct and provide proof of residence with one of the documents listed earlier in this article.
If you do not have one of the accepted documents with your new address on it, someone else at the polling place may be able to attest to your residence. If there is no one to attest for you, and you have no proof of residence, you will be required to vote a provisional ballot.
As you can see, being “Voter Ready” is beneficial. Please pre-register and update the address on your voter registration, if necessary, prior to the pre-registration deadline.

For any questions regarding this article or other election questions, contact the Allamakee County Auditor’s office at 563-568-3522.