IDP Mails Out Absentee Ballot Request Forms This Week
I got a
robo-call yesterday afternoon from Gov. Tom Vilsack. Looks like
the IDP is sending out absentee ballot request forms
to registered Democrats in the state. On the call, Vilsack urged
listeners to fill out the form and send it in right away. “Paid
for by the Iowa Democratic Party.” So, THAT's where all their
money went to. At least it's for a good cause.
For reasons why voting by absentee ballot is preferable or to download a request form, click here.
New Iowa Law Brings Changes in Absentee Ballot Procedures
And speaking of absentee ballots, a new law has just gone into effect in Iowa that brings some changes to the procedure.
First
off, the request for an absentee ballot has to be made on an official
form and can't be made on a plain piece of paper. (You can download an official request form here.)
Second, the counties will now have to foot the bill for the return postage. According to the Des Moines Register,
that could cost a big county like Polk over $20,000. (Who came up
with THAT idiotic rule? Can you say the Republican-controlled
legislature? It certainly wouldn't hurt anyone to pay a one-time
fee of under a dollar for a postage stamp to send her or his ballot
back in, but the new system's going to put quite a strain on county
budgets.)
Third, all requests for absentee ballots must be received in the county auditor's office by October 29.
Fourth,
couriers who carry completed absentee ballots to the courthouse must
now be trained by a political party or county auditor's office and must
submit the ballots within 72 hours of picking them up.
Click here to find the mailing address of your county auditor (for sending in your absentee ballot request).
Linda Thieman
Blog For Iowa 
I got my form in the mail yesterday and while its great that IDP has done this the entire piece was about Kerry………full color glossy two page spread devoted to Kerry…….not one thing was said about voting for Iowa Democrats runing for congress, legislature or local offices
When I contribute to the DNC and the Kerry campaign I expect my donation will be used to promote Kerry. When I contribute to IDP I expect my donations will be used to promote Iowa Democrats.
Another disappointment in IDP in going only half way. It would have been fine to devote the front page to Kerry…but I ask why couldn't the second page have been devoted to local and legislative candidates.
It would have been so easy….to list the candidates that would be on my ballot, given the piece was individualized and even had the form filled in with my name and address.
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Maybe 15% of these will actually be returned, who knows?….I received one also, but may go into my auditor's office (she being a fabulous Democrat who has made certain our county has the best voting machines available) and cast my vote next month…Would be the first time I have not actually gone “to the polls”….For those who have received these I do suggest you use them…The money has already been spent to create them & postage them…And, if the electricity goes out on voting day, well, yours will already be in the bag.
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I agree IOWAvolunteer…I plan to go into the courthouse to vote in person
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