The City of Cedar Rapids Run-Off election is taking place today. Polls close at 8 p.m. This release regards e-signature absentee ballot requests.
E-signature Documents:
Starting with this election, Auditor Joel Miller commissioned an e-fillable absentee ballot request form that voters could fill out online. After submission, voters were mailed another absentee request form to sign with wet ink, which is required by Iowa law, and a ballot in separate envelopes.
Fifty two (52) e-filled documents were submitted for the Cedar Rapids Run-Off election, and six (6) other people submitted absentee ballot requests via email, fax, or other means than a traditional wet signature. Out of those 58 ballots, 23 were held aside today for review as they lacked a wet ink signature, which needed to be submitted by Friday, December 1.
The ASVP (Absentee and Special Voter Precinct Board), a citizen board equally divided between Republicans and Democrats charged with counting absentee ballots, was presented with this situation to review. This board, rather than the auditor or election staff, makes final decisions as to when ballots should be counted.
The ASVP board decided that the 23 voters should be contacted and given the opportunity to come to the Linn County Elections office at 935 2nd St SW, Cedar Rapids prior to 8 p.m. today, Tuesday, December 5. They would be given the opportunity to sign the absentee request form again and have their ballot counted for this election.
At least one person has come to the Linn County Public Service Center today to physically sign another absentee request form with a wet signature.
If a voter believes his/her ballot may be one of those involved, we urge them to contact the Linn County Election office at 319-892-5300.
Further Information on Today’s Election: To find your polling location, go to www.linncountyelections.org/lookup
Dates & Deadlines
Dec. 1, 2017 Last Day to Request an Absentee Ballot to be Mailed
Dec. 4, 2017 Last Day to Vote Absentee (Auditor's Office)
Dec. 5, 2017 Election Day
Dec. 7, 2017 ASVP Board May Reconvene at Noon
Dec. 12, 2017 Canvass of Votes for Cedar Rapids (Tuesday after the Election)
Dec. 14, 2017 Deadline to Request a Recount
For questions regarding this election, call the Linn County Election Services Office at (319) 892-5300, ext. 1 or email [email protected].
