In response to public feedback and in an effort to better serve voters of the Cedar Rapids School Board Election to be held on September 8, 2015, Linn County Election Services has established the following vote center locations for the Cedar Rapids School District:
All vote centers will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on September 8, 2015.
CR Schools ELS Center 2500 Edgewood Rd NW, Cedar Rapids
River of Life Ministries 3801 Blairs Ferry Rd NE, Cedar Rapids
Bethany Lutheran Church 2202 Forest Dr SE, Cedar Rapids
Linn County Public Service Center 935 2nd St SW, Cedar Rapids
IBEW Local 405 1211 Wiley Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids
Postcard notices of these changes have been mailed to the households of registered voters within the district. These notices should be arriving at households by August 27.
Background
In 2013, the Education, Leadership & Support (ELS) Center and the four high schools in the Cedar Rapids School District were established to serve as vote centers to replace the 50 polling place locations that were previously used for the district. A vote center differs from a normal precinct polling place in that a voter may choose to vote at any location for their district instead of having to vote at an assigned polling place. Our goals were to provide more options for the voter while running a more cost-effective election.
Change Needed
While the district’s ELS Center location is the same as it was during the 2013 School Board Elections, the remaining four voting locations have been changed. The motivating factor for the change was to move voting out of the four high schools and into locations that would provide better parking and interior space for voters. The new locations will provide a better voting experience for the public.
As with all elections, absentee voting will continue to be available before Election Day. Voters may vote absentee in-person at the Auditor’s Office or vote by mail from the convenience of their home.
Dates & Deadlines
Friday, August 28 Last Day to Pre-register to Vote for this Election
Friday, September 4 Last Day to Vote Absentee and to Request an Absentee Ballot to be Mailed
Saturday, September 5 Last Day to Return a Voted Absentee Ballot by Mail (Postmark Deadline)
Monday, September 7 Labor Day – Auditor’s Office Closed
Tuesday, September 8 Election Day
Friday, September 11 Canvass of Votes for Schools
For questions regarding this election, call Linn County Election Services at (319) 892-5300, ext. 1.