Senator Ragan: Prepare to vote safely this fall

The following is a legislative update from State Senator Amanda Ragan, representing Franklin, Butler and Cerro Gordo counties:

The COVID-19 pandemic is not over.

These numbers are a warning sign that the pandemic is getting worse – not better – in Iowa:

• Record high daily total of 769 new confirmed COVID-19 cases last weekend
• More than 35,000 confirmed cases statewide
• More than 750 confirmed Iowa deaths from COVID-19

I am following the advice of public health experts: staying home as much as possible, washing my hands frequently, keeping space between myself and others, and wearing a mask when I’m out in public and at work

I am also planning to vote by mail in advance of the November 3 general election.

Iowa had what may be the most successful primary election in state history in June.

Our Secretary of State and county auditors heeded lessons learned from other states and took unprecedented steps to keep our primary safe for voters, election workers and our population as a whole. In the process, they boosted civic engagement and voter turnout. Kudos to these leaders for their ingenuity and commitment to public service.

We can continue what they started this fall. Let’s all plan ahead for our health, safety and civic duty. Request your vote-by-mail ballot today for the November 3 election, and encourage others to do the same.

4 steps to vote by mail

1. Register to vote. Make sure you are registered to vote at sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation.
2. Get a vote-by mail request form. Download the form at sos.iowa.gov/elections/pdf/absenteeballotapp.pdf. Fill it out carefully and sign it.
3. Return your request form. Mail or deliver your vote-by-mail request form to your county auditor. Find their contact information at sos.iowa.gov/elections/auditors/auditorslist.html.
4. Track your ballot. Your county auditor will mail you a ballot starting October 5. You can track it at sos.iowa.gov/elections/absenteeballotstatus/absentee/search.