***Rumors are swirling Iowa about polling location closures and changes. We’ve contacted the county auditors in Iowa to find out what is actually happening in their county.***
Crawford County Auditor Terri Martens said there will be six precincts open this election day. The city of Denison has three wards, but all three will be combined to one location at Boulders Conference Center. The other five locations are typical.
Martens said this has been the plan all along.
“Our notice was published in three county papers and also translated and printed in the local Hispanic paper,” Martens said.
Martens had concerns about getting enough precinct workers, but said they’ve been fortunate this year.
“The Iowa Secretary of State was very helpful in promoting the needs of the county auditors,” Martens said. “We had at least a dozen extra people contact us.”
Lucas County will also have slightly less polling locations open. There will be five polling locations open on election day compared to the typical seven. Julie Masters said they combined two smaller locations with two larger ones.
“Due to the overwhelming response to absentee voting and the COVID-19 pandemic making it harder to get election officials, it was necessary to combine,” Masters said. “I have been able to get poll workers with the fewer amount of precincts.”
Voters have been notified before the election and notices will be posted at polling places on election day.
Finally, Lee County has six fewer locations open. There will be 13 polling locations open today compared to the usual 19.
Polling places have been changed due to social distancing.
Voters can find their polling place at this website.
Iowans can sign up to be poll workers here.
