In order to vote by mail in Iowa, you must submit a written application for a mailed absentee ballot, which can be sent to your County Auditor’s office beginning August 30 and must be received no later than 5 p.m. Monday, October 24.
“If someone is wanting to vote by mail, I would suggest getting an absentee ballot request form filled out and sent in as soon as possible,” said Kris Glienke, Cherokee County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections.
If you need to register to vote
If you’ve not voted in Cherokee County or haven’t voted in a while and want to, the first thing you need to do is check to see if you are registered or get registered. You should also update your voter registration if your name or address has changed. Forms are available at sos.iowa.gov/elections or call the County Auditor’s Office at 712-225-6705 for more information.
In order to register to vote in Iowa you must:
• be a citizen of the United States
• be a resident of Iowa
• be at least 17 (you must be 18 on Election Day to vote)
• not currently be judged by a court to be “incompetent to vote”
• not claim the right to vote in more than one place
• not be a convicted felon (unless your voting rights have been restored)
The deadline for voter pre-registration is Monday, October 24. Iowans can also register to vote at their polling places on Election Day with an approved form of ID and proof of residency.
If you are already registered to vote

1. Print an absentee ballot request form from the Secretary of State’s website sos.iowa.gov/elections or call the County Auditor’s at 712-225-6705 and ask them to send you a request form.
2. Complete the ballot request form, and sign and date it.
3. Mail your absentee ballot request to your county auditor.
4. Wait for your ballot to arrive. Counties can start mailing ballots on October 19.
5. Complete your ballot when you receive it and mail or bring it back to your county auditor right away. Voted absentee ballots must be received by your county auditor by 8 p.m. on General Election Day in order to get counted.
   How to complete your absentee ballot request form
   ∑ Complete all fields, and double-check your work to make sure your information is correct.
   ∑ You’re not required to include your phone number and email address on your absentee ballot request form, but If there is a problem with your request, phone and email information can help your county auditor get in touch with you faster and resolve any issues as soon as possible to make sure you receive a ballot.
   • The “ID Number” field asks for an Iowa driver’s license number, a state ID number, OR a “four-digit voter PIN.” If you have an Iowa driver’s license or an Iowa state ID, you can use that number, and you don’t need a voter PIN.
   • If you don’t have an Iowa driver’s license or state ID, you should receive an “Iowa Voter Identification Card” in the mail after you register to vote. The four-digit PIN on that card goes in the “four-digit voter PIN” field on your absentee ballot request form. If you don’t have a voter ID card, call your county auditor. Note: a voter ID card is NOT the same as a voter registration card. Your voter PIN is NOT the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number.
   • Sign and date the form.
   • Reminder: your completed absentee ballot request form must be received by your county auditor by 5 p.m. on Monday, October 24.
   • If you want to deliver your absentee ballot request in person, you’ll need to hand your absentee ballot request form to someone at your county auditor’s office by 5 p.m. on October 24.
   • Voters can track their absentee ballot on the Secretary of State’s website sos.iowa.gov/elections . If you have concerns about your ballot request or ballot being received, you can call your county auditor. Your voted absentee ballot must be received by 8 p.m. on election day to get counted. Postmarks do not count.
   • Voting in person early or on General Election Day, November 8, are also options for voting. Early in-person voting starts at the county auditor’s office on October 19. Polling places will be open on Election Day, November 8, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
   • If you still have questions about absentee voting, contact the Cherokee County Auditor’s Office at 712-225-6705.