Some voters in Jasper County may have new polling locations

Christopher Braunschweig, Newton Daily News, Iowa
·7 min read

May 18—The state approved Jasper County's redistricting plan, which will change a number of polling locations for voters this coming election season. Jasper County Auditor Dennis Parrott reported the redistricted precincts in the area during the May 10 board of supervisors meeting, a month before the primaries.

The following precincts and polling places have been changed:

—Precinct No. 1 in the Buena Vista, Elk Creek Townships (BE) will vote at the Sully Community Center, 318 Sixth Ave., in Sully. BE is represented by the redistricted Iowa House District 37 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 2 in Clear Creek, Independence Townships (CCI) will vote at Baxter City Hall, 203 S. Main, in Baxter. CCI is represented by Iowa House District 38 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 8 in Hickory Grove, Kellogg, Mariposa, Rock Creek Townships (HR) will vote at Kellogg City Hall, 417 Front St., in Kellogg. HR is represented by Iowa House District 38 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 9 in Lynngrove, Richland Townships (LR) will also vote at the Sully Community Center, 318 Sixth Ave., in Sully. LR is represented by Iowa House District 38 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 10 in Malaka, Newton, Sherman Townships (MNS) will vote at the Jasper County Church of Christ (the former Union Hall), 1813 First St. N., in Newton. MNS is represented by Iowa House District 38 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 11 in Mound Prairie, Poweshiek, Washington Townships (MPPW) will vote at the Jasper County Fairgrounds, 359 N. Walnut, in Colfax. MPPW is represented by Iowa House District 38 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 16 in Newton City Ward 3-1 (NT3-1) will vote at First Baptist Church, 620 S. 8th Ave. E., in Newton. NT3-1 is represented by Iowa House District 38 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 18 in Newton City Ward 4-1 (NT4-1) will vote at the new Jasper County Administration Building, 300 W. Fourth St. N., in Newton. NT4-1 is represented by Iowa House District 38 and Iowa Senate District 19.

The following precincts and polling places remain unchanged:

—Precinct No. 3 in Colfax Ward 1 (CF1) will vote at Jasper County Fairgrounds, 359 N. Walnut, in Colfax. CF1 is represented by Iowa House District 38 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 4 in Colfax Ward 1 (CF2) will vote at Jasper County Fairgrounds, 359 N. Walnut, in Colfax. CF2 is represented by Iowa House District 38 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 5 in Colfax Ward 1 (CF3) will vote at Jasper County Fairgrounds, 359 N. Walnut, in Colfax. CF3 is represented by Iowa House District 38 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 6 in Des Moines Township (DM) will vote at Prairie City Community Building, 503 S. State St., in Prairie City. DM is represented by Iowa House District 37 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 7 in Fairview Township (FV) will vote at Monroe City Hall, 206 W. Sherman, in Monroe. FV is represented by Iowa House District 37 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 12 in Newton City Ward 1-1 (NT1-1) will vote at the Jasper County Church of Christ (the former Union Hall), 1813 First St. N., in Newton. NT1-1 is represented by Iowa House District 38 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 13 in Newton City Ward 1-2 (NT1-2) will vote at Park Centre, 500 First St. N., in Newton. NT1-2 is represented by Iowa House District 38 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 14 in Newton City Ward 2-1 (NT2-1) will vote at Immanuel Baptist Church, 1300 N. Fourth Ave. E., in Newton. NT2-1 is represented by Iowa House District 38 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 15 in Newton City Ward 2-2 (NT2-2) will vote at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 501 E. 19th St. N., in Newton. NT2-2 is represented by Iowa House District 38 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 17 in Newton City Ward 3-2 (NT3-2) will vote at Jasper County Community Center, 2401 First Ave. E., in Newton. NT3-2 is represented by Iowa House District 38 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 19 in Newton City Ward 4-2 (NT4-2) will vote at the American Legion, 1101 W. Fourth St. S., in Newton. NT4-2 is represented by Iowa House District 38 and Iowa Senate District 19.

—Precinct No. 20 in Palo Alto Township (PA) will vote at Reasnor City Hall, 312 North St., in Reasnor. PA is represented by Iowa House District 38 and Iowa Senate District 19.

Tina Mulgrew, deputy auditor, has partnered with the Iowa Secretary of State's Office to mail every registered voter a card before Election Day, telling them where their voting precinct is located. Mulgrew told supervisors one set will be mailed in May before the primaries and the other in October.

In Jasper County, primary elections will be held for the two open seats on the board of supervisors. Three Democrats (Scott DeVries, Pam Olson and Bev Price) and three Republicans (Julia Prendergast and incumbents Denny Carpenter and Brandon Talsma) are vying for a spot on the ballot.

Voters in Iowa House District 37 must also choose between two Republican challengers (Barb Kniff McCulla and incumbent Jon Thorup). The redistricted House District 37 consists of the southern segment of Jasper County, mostly Monroe and Prairie City, and large portions of Marion and Mahaska Counties.

VOTER REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Note: A primary election is the process in which candidates are nominated for the Democratic and Republican parties. This means voters must declare one of the two parties to vote in the primary. If an individual is already registered to vote, they can easily change their party on Election Day at the polls.

Voters must be registered to vote in order to participate in the upcoming primary election, which can be done a number of ways.

The deadline to register in-person at the Jasper County Auditor's Office is 5 p.m. May 23. Citizens may also mail their registration to the auditor's office, but they must be received by or have been postmarked by May 23.

On Election Day, voters can register at their polling place by presenting a current photo ID and proof of residency to the election officials. Contact the auditor's office for a list of approved documents by calling 641-792-7016.

ABSENTEE VOTING INFORMATION

As of May 10, the auditor's office so far has 114 requests for absentee ballots.

Absentee voting begins May 18, which means ballots will be available at the auditor's office at that time. The ballots may be voted in the office until 4:30 p.m. June 6.

The last day to request an absentee ballot by mail is May 23. Ballots may be mailed upon requests through an official absentee ballot request form or in writing, which requires voters to include their name, ID number, address, date of birth, name and date of election and their signature and the date.

Official absentee ballot request forms can be obtained by contacting the auditor's office or by visiting its website at www.jaspercountyiowaelections.gov.

Absentee ballot requests must be received by the auditor's office no later than 5 p.m. May 23.

Absentee ballots must be returned to the auditor's office no later than 8 p.m. June 7. Postmark dates do not count.

Absentee ballots cannot be placed in the drop box outside the courthouse.

Check the status of your absentee ballot by contacting the auditor's office or visiting http://sos.iowa.gov/elections/absenteeballotstatus/search.aspx

EXTENDED OFFICE HOURS & CONTACT INFO

In addition to its normal business hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday though Friday, the Jasper County Auditor's Office will be open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 4.

For more information regarding voter registration, absentee voting or other election-related issues, please visit staff at the auditor's office in room 202 of the courthouse, or contact Parrott at auditor@jaspercounty.iowa.gov or Mulgrew at tmulgrew@jaspercounty.iowa.gov.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com