Tuesday, Nov. 5, is Election Day, when Americans head to the polls to select their next leaders on national, state and local levels.
Many voters have already cast their ballots early, but for those who haven’t, here is important information about voting this year.
Who may vote?
First, a person has to be registered to vote. People who are not registered may do so at the county courthouse through Nov. 4. Regular hours in Bremer County are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The auditor’s office will also be open Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(People who register before Election Day may also choose to cast an early ballot at the courthouse.)
To register to vote, you need to have a form of personal identification such as a driver’s license, as well as proof of residence, such as a utility bill with your name and address on it.
You must also be eligible to vote in Iowa, which means you must be at least 18 years old on Election Day, be a U.S. citizen and a resident of Iowa. You also cannot be a convicted felon (unless the governor has restored your right to vote) or be judged mentally incompetent.
If you do not register before Election Day, you may still register at the polls, before receiving your ballot.
If you are not sure whether you are registered or not, you may call the county auditor’s office or check online at the Iowa Secretary of State’s website at sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/regtovote/search.aspx.
What do I need to vote?
Voters must have voter identification with them to receive a ballot. Acceptable forms of ID are an Iowa driver’s license or non-driver ID card, an Iowa voter identification card, a U.S. military ID or veteran ID, a U.S. passport or a tribal ID card/document.
Where do I vote?
Through Nov. 4, voting can be done via an absentee ballot at the county auditor’s office.
On Election Day, voters cast a ballot at their precinct polling place sometime between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.
Voters not sure which precinct they are in can find precinct maps at bremercountyelections.iowa.gov/elections/info/2024_general_election_2024_11_05/ or can check at the Secretary of State’s website at sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/pollingplace/details.aspx.
Bremer County voting precincts are as follows:
What if I voted early/requested an absentee ballot?
If you voted early, you can track your ballot at the Iowa Secretary of State’s website at sos.iowa.gov/elections/absenteeballotstatus/absentee/search.
If you voted by mail but fear your ballot will not arrive at the auditor’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day, you may vote a provisional ballot at your polling place on Election Day. It will be set aside until it is determined whether your absentee ballot can be located.
If you requested an absentee ballot in the mail but never filled it out, you may surrender it at your polling place on Election Day and vote a regular ballot.
When can we see election results?
Election results will be posted on Election Day after polls close at 8 p.m. and votes are counted. Bremer County results will be at bremercountyelections.iowa.gov/. Iowa results will be published on the Secretary of State’s website at sos.iowa.gov/elections/results/index.html.
Waverly Newspapers will also report Bremer County election results as they are announced at the courthouse, both on the newspaper’s website and on its Facebook page.