Absentee Ballot Requests Mailed to Voters for General Election

July 23, 2020

Iowa Secretary of State (SOS) Paul Pate will send absentee ballot requests to all active registered voters this fall for the general election after being granted this authority by the Legislative Council last Friday. Secretary Pate performed the same action for Iowa’s June primary election, which saw record turnout. Following the primary, the Legislature passed and Gov. Reynolds signed into law legislation that required the SOS to receive permission from the Legislative Council, which is composed of leaders of both parties in both chambers, before doing so for the 2020 general election and moving forward. Pate’s office issued a news release indicating he wants to provide voters a safe alternative to voting in person at the polls as we continue to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.