October 2, 2024
Guest Column by Whitney Hein, Jones County Auditor and Commissioner of Elections
Voter Registration
Are you registered to vote? If you aren’t registered to vote, do you know how to register? Have you moved since the last time that you voted? Do you plan to vote in the upcoming Presidential General Election? These are all things to think about prior to the voter pre-registration deadline, October 21st at 5:00 p.m.
One of the easiest steps to take is to check your voter registration status. You can contact your County Auditor and inquire about your voter registration status or check it online at www.sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/regtovote/search.aspx.
After you check your voter registration status, you may learn that you aren’t registered to vote or that you are not registered to vote at your most current address. Completing or updating your voter registration is not a difficult task. There are two ways to complete or update your voter registration. You can fill out a paper voter registration form and turn the original form into your County Auditor’s office or you can complete the online voter registration form. The online voter registration form does require an individual to have either an Iowa Driver’s License or Iowa Non-Operator ID. This is because the online voter registration system utilizes the Iowa DOT system. You can find both the paper registration form and the link to the Iowa DOT system on the www.jonescountyiowaelections.gov website and the www.sos.iowa.gov website. You can also stop by the County Auditor’s office to pick up a paper voter registration form or call and request one to be mailed you.
What happens if your voter registration is not up to date by October 21st at 5:00 p.m. and you want to vote in the November 5th Presidential General Election? You are still allowed to vote but you must follow the Election Day Registration procedures which requires you to prove your residency. This will take a few additional minutes at the polls so you will need to plan on allowing extra time when you go to vote. All voters must show their I.D. when voting such as an Iowa Voter Identification Card, Iowa Driver’s License, Iowa Non-Operator I.D., U.S. Military I.D., Veteran I.D., U.S. Passport, or Tribal I.D. Card. Voters that need to register to vote on Election Day or update their residency address will need to also show a proof of residency. If your I.D. has your current address on it, you will not need any additional documentation. If your I.D. does not show your current address, then you will need an additional document such as a bank statement, utility bill, paycheck, residential lease, a government document, or property tax statement. Please keep in mind that if you use one of these additional documents it must be current within 45 days and have the voter’s name on the document.
What happens if you forget to bring your I.D. or proof of residency when you go to vote? Electronic forms of identification are not acceptable for voting purposes. However, you are allowed to use a digital proof of residency so if you forget your utility bill at home, you are allowed to pull it up on your cell phone and show it to the election official. Voters are allowed to use an attester if they do not have their identification and/or proof of residency with them. An attester is a registered voter from the voter’s precinct that may attest for the voter. Both the voter and the attester will be required to sign an oath swearing the statements being made are true. Attesters must provide proper identification for themselves to attest to another voter’s identification. Falsely attesting or being attested for is registration fraud. It is a class “D” felony and is punishable by a fine of up to $7,500 and up to 5 years in prison.
Please reach out to my office at 319-462-2282 if you have any questions regarding your voter registration status.
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December 10, 2021
November 5, 2020
On Thursday, November 5, Jones County Public Health was notified by the Anamosa State Penitentiary that over 400 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19.November 2, 2020
Beginning with cases reported on Friday, October 30, disease investigation and follow-up for COVID-19 cases in Jones County residents will be conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH).October 30, 2020
The level of community spread of COVID-19 in Jones County has increased significantly this week, and has now reached a 14-day percent positivity of 15.1 percent.September 29, 2020
Today, Governor Reynolds announced a change in the definition the State of Iowa is using to define close contacts for the purposes of contact tracing of positive COVID19 cases.August 12, 2020
Many parts of Iowa were affected by a severe storm that swept through the state Monday, causing power outages for hundreds of thousands of people.April 28, 2020
On Monday April 27, 2020 Governor Kim Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration until May 27, 2020.April 28, 2020
On Monday April 27, 2020 Governor Kim Reynolds signed a new proclamation continuing the State Public Health Emergency Declaration until May 27, 2020.April 27, 2020
Iowa restaurants have a responsibility to take measures to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.April 16, 2020
On April 16, 2020, Governor Kim Reynolds issued additional mitigation strategies related to COVID-19 for Northeast Iowa or Region 6, which includes Jones County.April 8, 2020
Businesses should implement measures to enable social distancing as much as possible.April 7, 2020
Jones County Public Health needs your help to prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19 within our communities.April 1, 2020
In accordance with temporary measures implemented on March 17, 2020 by the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals (DIA), restaurants and food operators must currently limit services to drive-through, carry-out and delivery only.April 1, 2020
On March 17, 2020, Governor Kim Reynolds issued a State of Public Health Disaster Emergency in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic; “It takes significant steps to require social distancing and limit community spread of the virus by implementing temporary measures including moving restaurants to drive-through, carry-out, and delivery only and closures of certain entities such as bars and recreational facilities.March 31, 2020
Two additional cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) have been confirmed in Jones County.March 30, 2020
A case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been confirmed in Jones County.March 27, 2020
The Jones County Auditor's Office is excited to share information about elections and to help make your voting experience easier. Like and follow our page to receive current information. Please share our page with your Jones County Facebook friends to help us to share information.March 25, 2020
Jones County Public Health urges local business and employers to follow social distancing guidelines in accordance with guidelines issued by local, state, and federal partners in order to prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19.March 17, 2020
On March 15, Governor Reynolds announced her recommendation to close Iowa schools for four weeks to help limit the spread of COVID-19 now that there is evidence of substantial community spread in Iowa.