Election Day: Less than a week away

   The Nov. 5, 2024, General Election is now less than a week away. If you haven’t already made plans to vote, please do not delay! Early in-person absentee voting at the courthouse is still taking place. Voters may vote at the courthouse from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Monday. Voting hours are extended on Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In-person absentee voting at the courthouse has been a popular option so far. There have been on average 188 voters per day voting at the courthouse.

   If you plan on voting on Election Day, polling place hours are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you are in line at polls closing, you will be allowed to vote. However, voters may not join the line after 8 p.m. Be prepared to wait in line on Election Day. A large turnout is expected and at peak times of the day, lines may form. In the 2022 General Election, 40 percent of voters who voted on Election Day in Jones County, voted between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.

   If you are an overseas citizen or military voter that would like to vote, please contact the Auditor’s Office for your options. If you or a loved one resides in a health care facility or hospital or has become a resident of one between now and Election Day, please contact the Auditor’s Office for your voting options.

   Election results will be posted on the Jones County Iowa Elections website as they come in after polls close. Look for the red banner at the top of the main website page, www.jonescountyiowaelections.gov. Please remember that it does take time for the results to get transmitted to the Auditor’s Office. It could be at least 9 p.m. before results start getting posted.

   The Auditor’s Office work does not stop at the end of Election Day. There are several post-election processes that do take place including the post-election audit, the canvass, and the reconvening of the special precinct board to determine the validity of any late arrival ballots and/or provisional ballots. Election work will continue for a few weeks after Election Day as all supplies and equipment are cleaned and stored away until the next election.

   In closing, I encourage all voters to plan ahead. If you have any questions about voting early or on Election Day, please don’t hesitate to call the office at 319-462-2282.