County auditor outlines voter registration month, absentee deadlines and early voting schedule

Mary Anne Hinoosa, Pottawatomie County Auditor, told the Board that it is voter registration month and reviewed dates and procedures for an upcoming municipal primary and the Nov. 4 general election.

Hinoosa said the Carter Lake municipal primary is Oct. 7; early voting at the county auditor’s office begins the day after the meeting and absentee ballots requested for the primary will be mailed the following day. Under Iowa law, absentee ballot requests for the primary are accepted until 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 22, Hinoosa said. Early in‑person voting at the courthouse runs until 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 6, she said, and polling places will be open Oct. 7 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Hinoosa also reviewed the timeline for the Nov. 4 general election: absentee ballots for the general can be requested beginning Oct. 15; the last day to request mailed absentee ballots for the general is five days before the election (the county auditor’s office will accept requests up to 5 p.m. on the statutory deadline). Hinoosa said the auditors’ office will stay open to accept city paperwork until 5 p.m. on a specified Thursday to accommodate filing deadlines.

She explained the county’s ballot drop box must remain on county property and under camera coverage for legal and ADA reasons; the office empties the drop box four times a day during voting periods. The auditor said some smaller municipalities do not hold primaries due to charter provisions.

Ending: The auditor encouraged residents to register during voter‑registration month and to contact the auditor’s office with questions about absentee requests, deadlines and early‑voting locations.