Absentee Ballot Returns May Exceed 500,000

DES MOINES – Secretary of State Michael A. Mauro today announced absentee ballots have surpassed the 460,000 record from the 2004 General Election.

At close of business today, Saturday, Nov. 1, over 481,000 ballots had been received by county auditor offices across the state. (See below for breakdown by party registration.)

“We have broken the previous record from four years ago with an exclamation point of twenty thousand votes,” said Secretary of State Mauro. “We may easily see half a million Iowans vote by absentee ballot this election.”

Voter registration has also set a record with well over two million voters on the rolls.

“The voters of Iowa and across the nation are obviously making a statement in this year’s election with these record turnouts. When all is said and done, I believe Iowa could have one of the top voter turnout percentages in the nation on Election Day.”

Those wishing to vote by absentee in-person at their county auditor’s office can still do so on Monday until 5 p.m. Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by Monday, Nov. 3.

For more information on voting by absentee, visit www.sos.state.ia.us.

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Absentee Ballots Received: 481,179

Democrats – 225,732
Republicans – 138,873
No Party – 116,278
Other – 296

Absentee Ballots Sent: 553,669

Democrats – 257,264
Republicans – 156,625
No Party – 139,440
Other – 340