The Linn County Auditor’s Office and the Johnson County Auditor’s Office have signed a mutual aid agreement to support each other in the event either County’s election operations are degraded due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Over the years, the Johnson and Linn County Auditors’ Offices have collaborated and shared best practices. The COVID-19 crisis has caused us to formally agree to help each other if one office closes down and the other office continues to operate,” Linn County Auditor Joel Miller said.
The agreement states that should either party’s office or staff be unable to perform their regular duties and procedures due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, each party shall, subject to federal and state laws, rules, and regulations, endeavor to provide the following mutual assistance, including but not limited to:
- Provide shared workspace and access to Ivoters
- Provide staffing assistance to process election material
- Assist in training workers or providing facilities for training
- Communicate with media or other interested parties as appropriate
- Provide vehicle assistance if necessary and available
- Assist in any other way to ensure that elections proceed without disruption
Both counties will work to compensate each other for reasonable costs should any assistance be provided.
“Please vote absentee. By voting absentee you keep poll workers and yourself safe,” Johnson County Auditor Travis Weipert said.