Humboldt, IA – The Humboldt County auditor backs the stance of the Iowa secretary of state and encourages everyone to vote absentee for the coming primaries.
During these usual times caused by COVID-19 voters are being asked to vote differently this June for the primary elections. Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate has been very verbal in his desire for all Iowans to vote by mail via absentee ballot. Humboldt County Auditor Peggy Rice backs Pate’s stance and encourages Humboldt County to vote absentee.
While the county is not a hot spot for the virus, Rice says that because of the state’s high number of cases exposure is still a possibility. She recognizes that Humboldt County might not be hot spot but people in the county can still come in contact with those who are from a hot spot. Voting by mail is the best way to avoid spread from contact.
Rice says she would feel terrible if one of the poll workers in the county got sick. “I would be just sick to pieces if any of my election officials got sick” she says. She takes time to complement Humboldt County for keeping their numbers down and recognizes a lot of her poll workers fall in the older age ranges that are at higher risk for the virus. The biggest thing is she doesn’t want to see the number of cases rise either.
However, she says the election officials are aware of the risk they are taking but voting absentee is about keeping everyone safe and healthy. “We’re doing everything we can to keep everyone safe” the county auditor says. “It’s not just the election officials, it’s not just my staff it’s the voter themselves.”
Rice says she has received a large number of absentee ballot requests in her office. For those who wish to go to a polling location and vote in person on June 2 she says there will be plenty of measures put in place to protect all involved. However, the safest way is still voting absentee.
The last day to request an absentee ballot via mail is May 22. In person absentee voting is now open at the Humboldt County court house and will be going on until June 1.