DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is extending the absentee voting period to 40 days for people who vote by mail in the June primary.
He's also endorsed casting ballots by mail in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Pate said the change will allow voters more time to send their ballots and provide county auditors a longer window for processing.
“The safety of voters takes precedence, and by encouraging Iowans to vote absentee, we can reduce the risk of community spread of COVID-19,” said Pate. “We still plan on having polls open on June 2 for voters who prefer to cast ballots in-person, but this effort will help reduce the risk of infecting others.”
In addition, curbside voting is available for people with disabilities. It will also be an option in the June primary for people in the high-risk population for the coronavirus.
The absentee voting period for mailed ballots in the June primary will begin on April 23. Requests can now be made for absentee ballots.