DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is sending out personal protective equipment (PPE) and more than $2 million to counties for November's election.
Pate's office says shields, masks, gloves, hand sanitizer and social distancing markers are being sent to polling places.
The federal coronavirus relief bill is supplying more than $2 million for counties to buy additional PPE, polling place supplies such as pens and secrecy folders, training materials for poll workers, and for disinfecting polling places.
Each county will receive a base amount of $5,000, along with an additional $850 for each precinct.
“Making sure Iowans can safely cast their ballot is vital. It is your choice whether you want to vote absentee or at the polls,” Secretary Pate said. “Polls will be open on November 3. We are providing the materials necessary to protect voters and poll workers and reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.”
Secretary Pate says he plans to mail all active registered voters an absentee ballot request form near the end of August.
The Iowa Legislative Council unanimously approved Pate’s plan to do so in July. That move came after Republicans had sought to block Pate from sending out ballot request forms.
County auditors are also barred from sending absentee ballot applications with the voter identification number filled in on the form.